Answer to Question #204223 in Economics for Princess

Question

Write an essay in which you describe in detail the main features of neo liberalism and siscuss the effects of neoloberalism policies in post apartheid South Africa. In your essay touch on the state of poverty, unemployment and inequality in the country.

Answer 1

Neoliberalism, unlike classical liberalism, does not completely deny state regulation of the economy, considering a free market and unrestricted competition as the main means of ensuring progress and achieving social justice, possible primarily on the basis of economic growth, which is measured by gross domestic product. The emergence of neoliberalism is associated with the onset of the "second era of globalization" (not to be confused with the new liberalism). Neoliberalism emerged as an opposition to the development in the middle of the 20th century of the ideas of social liberalism, which assumed social cooperation and protection, a combination of competition with government regulation and social programs.

Neoliberalism in South Africa has grown into discrimination. The South African government discriminates against the white population in the following sequence: when hiring for any position in the public sector, first a black man will enjoy the advantage, then a black woman (both as formerly oppressed by race), then a white woman (as a former oppressed by gender), and only then do they consider the candidacy of a white man.

Living standards continue to fall. There are 40% of the unemployed in the country who simply cannot work. Low-skilled workers are not required, and they do not want to study. Whites complain that they cannot find a gardener or a maid: those who come work poorly and always steal. Human life among the black population is valued very little. Even the life of their fellow tribesmen, not to mention the life of whites. There is unjustified cruelty in attacks and the commonality of such a crime as rape.

The stratification of society has even increased with the abolition of the power of the white minority. Only the place of the white exploiters was taken by the black ones. There was a redistribution of the country's wealth, not nationalization. All the main enterprises and production facilities are owned by blacks, but they still cannot effectively manage the enterprises.

Once upon a time, white people brought civilization to South Africa, and the country in terms of development was among the most advanced countries in the world. Now power is with the black population, and the country has slipped below the baseboard.