Rasigan Maharajh - Independent Researcher (original) (raw)

Book Chapters and Papers by Rasigan Maharajh

Research paper thumbnail of The World Majority- Emergence, Polycrises, and Multipolarity

Speaking notes for Global Majority: Concept and Political Reality Session, XXV Yasin Internationa... more Speaking notes for Global Majority: Concept and Political Reality Session, XXV Yasin International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development.

Research paper thumbnail of Locating the Polycrisis Historically, and Contextually, and Introducing Solidarity Economy Alternatives

Transcript of Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training Solidarity Economy Series ... more Transcript of Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training Solidarity Economy Series Webinar at Nelson Mandela University.

Research paper thumbnail of Maharajh 2023 Africa in a Changing World

Research paper thumbnail of Being Well in the Early 21st Century: Contemporary Dynamics in the Political Economy of Health

Health Innovation Systems, Equity, and Development, 2015

The human species has evolved over at least a 200, 000 year period of history on earth. During th... more The human species has evolved over at least a 200, 000 year period of history on earth. During this long time, humanity has developed its capacity for cognition and employed capabilities of learning to transform its natural environment to suit its purposes. The success of the species has largely been determined by its competency in translating knowledge into systematic practices such as health care. Well-being co-evolved with the emergence of capitalism and has become integrated in its general profit-seeking logic. The chapter has four sections, after introducing the research focus, the second section presents an evolutionary history of the capitalism and the medical industry. The third section considers empirical features of the contemporary period and highlights the effects of combined and uneven development. The concluding fourth section argues that for well-being to be secured, significant transformations of the political economy are required. The increased challenges of climate change in the context of financialised capitalism suggests that building post-capitalist solutions are necessary for the survival of the species.

Research paper thumbnail of Rural Health Systems in South Africa: Local Innovation and Potential for Social Inclusion

Health Innovation Systems, Equity, and Development, Mar 25, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of The Metabolic Rift, Anachronistic Institutions and the Anthropocene

The 2,015 years of our Common Era as a subspecies represents a minor temporality within our large... more The 2,015 years of our Common Era as a subspecies represents a minor temporality within our larger and more-complex geo-physical timeframe of approximately 4.5 billion years. Whilst the geo-physical processes of change have over the longue durée shaped an environment capable of sustaining living organisms, the voracious predatory practices of our sub-species has significantly altered the trajectories of all life. Particularly since the advent of industrial capitalism, our development has engendered massive environmental changes and have impacted upon various natural cycles. The result is a build-up of waste and inevitable degradation of the eco-system. These elements constitute elements of the metabolic rift between nature and the institutions driving our behaviours. This paper discusses the systemic changes in the making of our contemporary conjuncture. The paper utilises an analysis of the global political economy and the international division of labour to argue that the world-systems are seized with a multiplicity of concurrent crisis that have expanded as has the metabolic rift. Human society has transgressed some planetary boundaries and appears to be hurtling towards a catastrophic descent into barbarism. Structure and agency seems paralysed as the institutional framework appears incapable of reconciling developmental inequalities with a mode of production that is fixated with growth. Thus, as we venture further into the 21st Century, our institutional orientation remains locked into rule-sets elaborated mainly since 1900’s. The array of forces emergent from the contested dynamics hold the possibilities of enabling a ‘Great Transition’ to a planetary civilisation. Significant interests however remain bound within the logic of an expansion of capital. For these, accumulation and destruction is represented in an anti-self-interest which maintains inequalities by threatening the collective survival of our species. This paper concludes with some research challenges for breaking the lock-ins and redressing the metabolic rift with the objective of sustaining development, enhancing inclusivity and re-creating new institutional forms that would be more appropriate to the contemporary conjuncture.

Research paper thumbnail of Spanda Journal VI,1 - Systemic Change

by Carol Sanford, Helene Finidori, Ashwani Vasishth, Rasigan Maharajh, Joe Brewer, Simone Cicero, Jack Harich, Michelle Holliday, Alexander Laszlo, Denis Postle, lilian ricaud, William Smith, Laurence J Victor, and christiaan weiler

Guest edited by Helene Finidori, a series of essays on the theory and practice of collective inte... more Guest edited by Helene Finidori, a series of essays on the theory and practice of collective intelligence and transformative action, from a systemic dynamic perspective.

How and where does systemic change manifest? How does it unfold? What are the leverage points, the forces and dynamics at play? What are the conditions for its empowerment and enablement? How do agency and structure come into the picture? We would like to look at the subject from various perspectives and disciplines, in research and praxis, exploring the visible and the invisible, space and time, unity and diversity, level and scale, movement and rhythm.

Available on print on demand.

Research paper thumbnail of Systemic Technological Innovation in Africa in 2030 C.E

Research paper thumbnail of Desigualdade Urbana Nos Brics

INTRODUÇÃO Este texto sobre Desigualdade Urbana no Brasil, Rússia, Índia, China e África do Sul (... more INTRODUÇÃO Este texto sobre Desigualdade Urbana no Brasil, Rússia, Índia, China e África do Sul (BRICS) trata da urbanização e desigualdade nestes cinco países. Incluem-se três seções. Após esta introdução geral, são apresentados dados sobre o processo de urbanização. A desigualdade é representada através de informações sobre favelas. A terceira e última seção destaca os desafios emergentes e sugere uma orientação na direção da eliminação da desigualdade na urbanização como meio para atingir uma vida melhor para todos. Até 2013, mais da metade da população mundial atualmente habita áreas urbanas, apesar deste nível de urbanização ser distribuída de forma desigual. Em 2011, estimou-se que este número seja 3.6 bilhões (ONU: 2012). Além disso, a urbanização é um conceito ambíguo já que países diferentes utilizam diversas definições de 'urbano'. De acordo com UNstats, os BRICS utilizam as seguintes definições administrativas: [BRASIL] 'Zonas urbanas e suburbanas de centros a...

Research paper thumbnail of The Contemporary Conjuncture, the NDP and the Possibilities for Development

Research paper thumbnail of Urban Inequality in the BRICS

Research paper thumbnail of Whither the African Middle Class in an “Africa Rising”?

This edition of Perspectives is themed "Africa Rising: Who Benefits from the Continent's... more This edition of Perspectives is themed "Africa Rising: Who Benefits from the Continent's Economic Growth?". The articles demonstrate that, in too many instances, it is not the wider population but small segments and interested parties, such as the local political elite and foreign investors, who are benefiting from economic growth and resource wealth. Social cohesion, political freedom and environmental protection carry little importance in the comforting world of impressive growth statistics. I collaborate yet again with Drs. Alinah Segobye, Alioune Sall, and Rasigan Maharajh further to our prior writings critiquing the "Africa Rising" grand narrative. This time we present some reflections about the evolution of the continent’s middle class and offer a critique of this aspect of the alluring narrative. We conclude yet again with an appeal for our African development reflection and futuring "should be based more on pragmatic and Africa-centric understand...

Research paper thumbnail of Afrique du Sud: réforme de l’enseignement supérieur et transformation du système national d’innovation

Afrique du Sud: réforme de l’enseignement supérieur et transformation du système national d’innovation

L’université en transition, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Fictions, Factors and Futures: Reflections on Africa's ‘impressive growth’

Research paper thumbnail of Betwixt Now and Then: Travails in the Interregnum

Global Governance: Crossed Perceptions, Apr 27, 2015

This essay is included in a book that provides the readers with a balanced narrative from differe... more This essay is included in a book that provides the readers with a balanced narrative from different perceptions of the recent evolution of international relations affecting global governance. Overall, these essays represent more than an effort to understand the world. They constitute an interesting testimony of the different views on current geopolitical changes, the need to better define terminology and concepts to characterize the last decade, to further investigate the nature of the changes and the motives of policy makers in different countries. What their real goals are, how to conciliate a range of different perspectives on interests and values, or at least close the gap on knowledge, extricate ambiguities in search of their motivations and clarity of judgement to compensate for lack of transparency in international relations. In a world of such complexity, the best we can do is to try to understand and explain it in terms of trends and to make predictions in terms of probabilities.

Research paper thumbnail of Urban Inequality in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

BRICS and the Challenges of Fighting Inequality, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Innovation, Indicators and Developmental Challenges for the BRICS

6th BRICS Academic Forum, May 19, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of The Contemporary Conjuncture, the National Development Plan and the Possibilities for Development

Research paper thumbnail of Developing Sustainably and the Emergence of a New Productive Paradigm

Políticas estratégicas de inovação e mudança estrutural - vol. 1 Sustentabilidade socioambiental em um contexto de crise, Mar 25, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Economic Growth and Human Development Challenges for Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa

Research paper thumbnail of The World Majority- Emergence, Polycrises, and Multipolarity

Speaking notes for Global Majority: Concept and Political Reality Session, XXV Yasin Internationa... more Speaking notes for Global Majority: Concept and Political Reality Session, XXV Yasin International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development.

Research paper thumbnail of Locating the Polycrisis Historically, and Contextually, and Introducing Solidarity Economy Alternatives

Transcript of Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training Solidarity Economy Series ... more Transcript of Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training Solidarity Economy Series Webinar at Nelson Mandela University.

Research paper thumbnail of Maharajh 2023 Africa in a Changing World

Research paper thumbnail of Being Well in the Early 21st Century: Contemporary Dynamics in the Political Economy of Health

Health Innovation Systems, Equity, and Development, 2015

The human species has evolved over at least a 200, 000 year period of history on earth. During th... more The human species has evolved over at least a 200, 000 year period of history on earth. During this long time, humanity has developed its capacity for cognition and employed capabilities of learning to transform its natural environment to suit its purposes. The success of the species has largely been determined by its competency in translating knowledge into systematic practices such as health care. Well-being co-evolved with the emergence of capitalism and has become integrated in its general profit-seeking logic. The chapter has four sections, after introducing the research focus, the second section presents an evolutionary history of the capitalism and the medical industry. The third section considers empirical features of the contemporary period and highlights the effects of combined and uneven development. The concluding fourth section argues that for well-being to be secured, significant transformations of the political economy are required. The increased challenges of climate change in the context of financialised capitalism suggests that building post-capitalist solutions are necessary for the survival of the species.

Research paper thumbnail of Rural Health Systems in South Africa: Local Innovation and Potential for Social Inclusion

Health Innovation Systems, Equity, and Development, Mar 25, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of The Metabolic Rift, Anachronistic Institutions and the Anthropocene

The 2,015 years of our Common Era as a subspecies represents a minor temporality within our large... more The 2,015 years of our Common Era as a subspecies represents a minor temporality within our larger and more-complex geo-physical timeframe of approximately 4.5 billion years. Whilst the geo-physical processes of change have over the longue durée shaped an environment capable of sustaining living organisms, the voracious predatory practices of our sub-species has significantly altered the trajectories of all life. Particularly since the advent of industrial capitalism, our development has engendered massive environmental changes and have impacted upon various natural cycles. The result is a build-up of waste and inevitable degradation of the eco-system. These elements constitute elements of the metabolic rift between nature and the institutions driving our behaviours. This paper discusses the systemic changes in the making of our contemporary conjuncture. The paper utilises an analysis of the global political economy and the international division of labour to argue that the world-systems are seized with a multiplicity of concurrent crisis that have expanded as has the metabolic rift. Human society has transgressed some planetary boundaries and appears to be hurtling towards a catastrophic descent into barbarism. Structure and agency seems paralysed as the institutional framework appears incapable of reconciling developmental inequalities with a mode of production that is fixated with growth. Thus, as we venture further into the 21st Century, our institutional orientation remains locked into rule-sets elaborated mainly since 1900’s. The array of forces emergent from the contested dynamics hold the possibilities of enabling a ‘Great Transition’ to a planetary civilisation. Significant interests however remain bound within the logic of an expansion of capital. For these, accumulation and destruction is represented in an anti-self-interest which maintains inequalities by threatening the collective survival of our species. This paper concludes with some research challenges for breaking the lock-ins and redressing the metabolic rift with the objective of sustaining development, enhancing inclusivity and re-creating new institutional forms that would be more appropriate to the contemporary conjuncture.

Research paper thumbnail of Spanda Journal VI,1 - Systemic Change

by Carol Sanford, Helene Finidori, Ashwani Vasishth, Rasigan Maharajh, Joe Brewer, Simone Cicero, Jack Harich, Michelle Holliday, Alexander Laszlo, Denis Postle, lilian ricaud, William Smith, Laurence J Victor, and christiaan weiler

Guest edited by Helene Finidori, a series of essays on the theory and practice of collective inte... more Guest edited by Helene Finidori, a series of essays on the theory and practice of collective intelligence and transformative action, from a systemic dynamic perspective.

How and where does systemic change manifest? How does it unfold? What are the leverage points, the forces and dynamics at play? What are the conditions for its empowerment and enablement? How do agency and structure come into the picture? We would like to look at the subject from various perspectives and disciplines, in research and praxis, exploring the visible and the invisible, space and time, unity and diversity, level and scale, movement and rhythm.

Available on print on demand.

Research paper thumbnail of Systemic Technological Innovation in Africa in 2030 C.E

Research paper thumbnail of Desigualdade Urbana Nos Brics

INTRODUÇÃO Este texto sobre Desigualdade Urbana no Brasil, Rússia, Índia, China e África do Sul (... more INTRODUÇÃO Este texto sobre Desigualdade Urbana no Brasil, Rússia, Índia, China e África do Sul (BRICS) trata da urbanização e desigualdade nestes cinco países. Incluem-se três seções. Após esta introdução geral, são apresentados dados sobre o processo de urbanização. A desigualdade é representada através de informações sobre favelas. A terceira e última seção destaca os desafios emergentes e sugere uma orientação na direção da eliminação da desigualdade na urbanização como meio para atingir uma vida melhor para todos. Até 2013, mais da metade da população mundial atualmente habita áreas urbanas, apesar deste nível de urbanização ser distribuída de forma desigual. Em 2011, estimou-se que este número seja 3.6 bilhões (ONU: 2012). Além disso, a urbanização é um conceito ambíguo já que países diferentes utilizam diversas definições de 'urbano'. De acordo com UNstats, os BRICS utilizam as seguintes definições administrativas: [BRASIL] 'Zonas urbanas e suburbanas de centros a...

Research paper thumbnail of The Contemporary Conjuncture, the NDP and the Possibilities for Development

Research paper thumbnail of Urban Inequality in the BRICS

Research paper thumbnail of Whither the African Middle Class in an “Africa Rising”?

This edition of Perspectives is themed "Africa Rising: Who Benefits from the Continent's... more This edition of Perspectives is themed "Africa Rising: Who Benefits from the Continent's Economic Growth?". The articles demonstrate that, in too many instances, it is not the wider population but small segments and interested parties, such as the local political elite and foreign investors, who are benefiting from economic growth and resource wealth. Social cohesion, political freedom and environmental protection carry little importance in the comforting world of impressive growth statistics. I collaborate yet again with Drs. Alinah Segobye, Alioune Sall, and Rasigan Maharajh further to our prior writings critiquing the "Africa Rising" grand narrative. This time we present some reflections about the evolution of the continent’s middle class and offer a critique of this aspect of the alluring narrative. We conclude yet again with an appeal for our African development reflection and futuring "should be based more on pragmatic and Africa-centric understand...

Research paper thumbnail of Afrique du Sud: réforme de l’enseignement supérieur et transformation du système national d’innovation

Afrique du Sud: réforme de l’enseignement supérieur et transformation du système national d’innovation

L’université en transition, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Fictions, Factors and Futures: Reflections on Africa's ‘impressive growth’

Research paper thumbnail of Betwixt Now and Then: Travails in the Interregnum

Global Governance: Crossed Perceptions, Apr 27, 2015

This essay is included in a book that provides the readers with a balanced narrative from differe... more This essay is included in a book that provides the readers with a balanced narrative from different perceptions of the recent evolution of international relations affecting global governance. Overall, these essays represent more than an effort to understand the world. They constitute an interesting testimony of the different views on current geopolitical changes, the need to better define terminology and concepts to characterize the last decade, to further investigate the nature of the changes and the motives of policy makers in different countries. What their real goals are, how to conciliate a range of different perspectives on interests and values, or at least close the gap on knowledge, extricate ambiguities in search of their motivations and clarity of judgement to compensate for lack of transparency in international relations. In a world of such complexity, the best we can do is to try to understand and explain it in terms of trends and to make predictions in terms of probabilities.

Research paper thumbnail of Urban Inequality in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

BRICS and the Challenges of Fighting Inequality, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Innovation, Indicators and Developmental Challenges for the BRICS

6th BRICS Academic Forum, May 19, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of The Contemporary Conjuncture, the National Development Plan and the Possibilities for Development

Research paper thumbnail of Developing Sustainably and the Emergence of a New Productive Paradigm

Políticas estratégicas de inovação e mudança estrutural - vol. 1 Sustentabilidade socioambiental em um contexto de crise, Mar 25, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Economic Growth and Human Development Challenges for Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa

Research paper thumbnail of Societal Engagement in Science, Technology, and Innovation and the Transformation of the National System of Innovationation of the National System of Innovation

Speaking Notes for Session 2 on Innovation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development of the Natio... more Speaking Notes for Session 2 on Innovation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development of the National System of Innovation Transformation Summit

Research paper thumbnail of Prospects and Challenges for the Internal Consolidation and Solidarity of the BRICS

Many thanks to the Valdai Discussion Club for the invitation to this panel discussion and congrat... more Many thanks to the Valdai Discussion Club for the invitation to this panel discussion and congratulation to the authors of the Report on the Evolution of the BRICS Value Platform. The Report makes an important and fundamental distinction between the BRICS association and other multilateral groupings such as the G20.

Research paper thumbnail of Five Years after CoVID-19: How Has the Pandemic Changed Our Lives?

Speaking Notes for COVID-19 Five Years On. How Has the Pandemic Changed Our Lives? An Expert Disc... more Speaking Notes for COVID-19 Five Years On. How Has the Pandemic Changed Our Lives? An Expert Discussion of the Valdai Discussion Club

Research paper thumbnail of Emerging Developmental Challenges and Public Finances

Speaking Notes for Inaugural Session of the International Conference on Rethinking Public Finance... more Speaking Notes for Inaugural Session of the International Conference on Rethinking Public Finance for Emerging Development Challenges.

Research paper thumbnail of Challenges and Prospects for Advancing Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability in our Global Contemporary Conjuncture

Speaking Notes for Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation G20 Seminar on Advancing Sol... more Speaking Notes for Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation G20 Seminar on Advancing Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability in Addressing Economic Growth, Development, and Stability.

Research paper thumbnail of Beyond Rhetorics: The World Majority and the Realities of our

Speaking Notes for the International Conference on Russia, Brazil, and Africa: Strengthening Coop... more Speaking Notes for the International Conference on Russia, Brazil, and Africa: Strengthening Cooperation in the Global South at Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Research paper thumbnail of Al Quds- Theology, Resistance and Liberation

Speaking Notes for Theology of Resistance: Al-Quds and the Palestinian Struggle Webinar.

Research paper thumbnail of World Politics in 2040 and the Futures

Speaking Notes for Opening Session of Valdai Club's Youth Conference at the World Youth Festival ... more Speaking Notes for Opening Session of Valdai Club's Youth Conference at the World Youth Festival in the Sirius Federal Territory.

Research paper thumbnail of The Future of BRICS countries in a Multipolar World: Humanitarian and Long-Term Dimensions

Speaking Notes for BRICS International Futurological Forum: Smart Civilization: Horizontal Connec... more Speaking Notes for BRICS International Futurological Forum: Smart Civilization: Horizontal Connections between Civil Society Organizations, Universities and Innovative Companies of the BRICS Countries – the Key to Shaping a Common Future, Smart Civilization NGO in collaboration with Russian State University for the Humanities

Research paper thumbnail of Long live the undying spirit of comrade Jabulani Nobleman *Mzala* Nxumalo, Long Live !

Speaking Notes for Panel Discussion on Mzala Nxumalo, Leftist Thought and Contemporary South Afri... more Speaking Notes for Panel Discussion on Mzala Nxumalo, Leftist Thought and Contemporary South Africa, Mz’ontsundu Book Festival, Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre.

Research paper thumbnail of Increasing Emerging Economies Collaboration and Cooperation for Shared Learning and Resilient Development

Speaking Notes for Session 1: New Quality Productive Forces and Economic Governance of Emerging E... more Speaking Notes for Session 1: New Quality Productive Forces and Economic Governance of Emerging Economies of the Emerging Economies Think-tank Roundtable 2024, Guangzhou College of Technology and Business, Peoples Republic of China.

Research paper thumbnail of Ecological Precarities, Environmental Realities, and the Potential for Just Transitions through New Quality Productive Forces

Speaking Notes for Session on Learning from the Development Experience of the Peoples Republic of... more Speaking Notes for Session on Learning from the Development Experience of the Peoples Republic of China, Center of International Cooperation Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Research paper thumbnail of A 'Just' Transition and its Socio-economic Impact

Speaking Notes for Institute for the Future of Work Thought Leadership Seminar: Just Energy Trans... more Speaking Notes for Institute for the Future of Work Thought Leadership Seminar: Just Energy Transition and the Future of Work.

Research paper thumbnail of The BRICS Academies of Sciences and Global Polycrises

Keynote Address to the Opening of the Inter-Academy Collaboration on the Global Polycrisis of Bra... more Keynote Address to the Opening of the Inter-Academy Collaboration on the Global Polycrisis of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Research paper thumbnail of The Global Majority and the New International Order

Speaking notes for Plenary Session, XXIV Yasin International Academic Conference on Economic and ... more Speaking notes for Plenary Session, XXIV Yasin International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development

Research paper thumbnail of BRICS Development Strategy: Equal Opportunities in an Unequal World

Plenary Session, XXIV Yasin International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development.

Research paper thumbnail of Africa in a Changing World

Plenary Session, XXIV Yasin International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development

Research paper thumbnail of Science and Ideology Revisited: BRICS and the Collapse of the Neoliberal Paradigm in Economics

Research paper thumbnail of Innovation Systems for ICT: The Case of South Africa

Innovation Systems for ICT: The Case of South Africa

Bridging the digital divide: …, Jan 1, 2006

CHAPTER 6 Innovation System for ICT: The Case of South Africa Angathevar Baskaran, Mammo Muchie, ... more CHAPTER 6 Innovation System for ICT: The Case of South Africa Angathevar Baskaran, Mammo Muchie, and Rasigan Maharajh Introduction We must continue the fight for liberation against poverty, against underdevelopment, against marginalisation… information and ...

Research paper thumbnail of Innovating beyond Borders: Some Challenges, and Opportunities for One Africa

Research paper thumbnail of South African Science, Technology and Innovation Scoreboard 2008

This publication reviews the South African system of innovation, at a national level, and at a pr... more This publication reviews the South African system of innovation, at a national level, and at a provincial level from the perspective of three provinces (Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng) and utilising data up to the year 2008. It is presented as a work in progress, which will benefit from identification of additional research and data. Underpinning this is an ambition to deepen understanding about the concepts underlying systems of innovation approach and provide a concise summary of available data with which to evaluate these concepts.
The scoreboard comprises five parts. Indicators in each part are introduced with a brief overview of significant trends and features. Methods and sources used to derive each indicator are also reported further interrogation.
The systems of innovation approach highlights relationships among political economic systems that facilitate and/or hinder innovation. The approach has been widely adopted as a means to monitor and evaluate economies’ innovative performance and policies. A range of methodologies have been established for various indicators of an innovation system’s performance and these are referred to throughout. This report pulls together these internationally accepted methodologies in order to create a nuanced reflection on the performances of South African innovation systems. However, it is worth emphasising that we are reporting a scoreboard that is under constant refinement locally and internationally.

Research paper thumbnail of Inequality and Development Challenges: BRICS National Systems of Innovation

This volume, second in the series, analyses the relationship between inequality and the evolution... more This volume, second in the series, analyses the relationship between inequality and the evolution of NSIs from a co-evolutionary view. It considers the multi-dimensional character of inequality, embracing a phenomenon that goes beyond the income dimension and which is manifested through increasingly complex forms, including assets, access to basic services, infrastructure, and knowledge, as well as race, gender, ethnic and geographic dimensions. The book proposes that innovation can affect inequalities in different ways and through distinct trajectories which are influenced by specific historical paths and conditions, and shaped by public policy interventions. Whilst advancing several valuable considerations and policy recommendations, the central proposition of the book is that inequalities must be explicitly accounted for in development strategies since the benefits of science, technology and innovation are not automatically distributed equally. Original and detailed data, together with expert analyses on wide-ranging issues, will make this book an invaluable resource for researchers and scholars in economics, development studies and political science, in addition to policy-makers.

Research paper thumbnail of Innovating Beyond Racial Capitalism: A Contribution Towards the Analysis of the Political Economy of Post-apartheid South Africa

The struggle for a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa evolved over centur... more The struggle for a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa evolved over centuries of colonialism and imperialism. In 1990, a political transition away from a militarised apartheid regime overseeing racial capitalism towards a universally enfranchised constitutional democracy began. In 1994, historical changes heralded the start of a new policy development context underpinned by a strong ethos of participation and democracy with the objective of reconstructing and developing a better life for all. In 1996, South Africa became an early-adopter of the national system of innovation (NSI) approach to reforming its science and technology assets and improving the country's productive capabilities. This study explores the experiences of South Africa in developing economic and innovation policies and their resulting praxis. The study analyses the economic history of country's political economy and reviews the accumulation path underpinning racial capitalism, the de...

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing Innovation in South Africa: The COFISA Experience

Any initiative to change an innovation system has some explicit or implicit results in mind. Thes... more Any initiative to change an innovation system has some explicit or implicit results in mind. These results will vary considerably. They may be enhancing output in a community’s agricultural sector or increasing a nation’s engineering graduates. This chapter examines systemic means by which we can assess the results from interventions in an innovation system and through evaluation of those assessments facilitate a learning environment around the respective innovation system’s operation.

Research paper thumbnail of Flight of the Flamingos: A Study of the Mobility of Human Resources in Science and Technology

Research paper thumbnail of Restructuring, Openness, and Acceleration in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as viewed from the Republic of South Africa

Research paper thumbnail of The United Nations and its Pact for a Future

Research paper thumbnail of Accelerating Climate Change and Resilience in Southern Africa

Research paper thumbnail of Education, the State, and Class Inequality: The case for Free Higher Education in South Africa

The events of 2015 confounded those who made unflattering observations about the social conscious... more The events of 2015 confounded those who made unflattering observations about the social consciousness of students, allegedly consumed by the effects of being 'born-free' and without a sense of history or mission. These cynical assertions reflected ignorance about the simmering tensions at the chalk face of our education institutions, and indeed the coal face of our mines and in the impoverished communities around the country. Now the issue of the funding of higher education is writ large in the national consciousness. It is widely accepted that higher education in South Africa is chronically underfunded. This is hardly contentious, since even the Minister of Higher Education has accepted the need to access additional resources for higher education. Similarly, the shocking levels of social inequality in South Africa is hardly in issue since South Africa ranks amongst one of the most unequal societies on earth (Southall, 2016). Yet, there are important misconceptions in some of the arguments about the chronic underfunding of education and social inequality as it affects 'poor' and 'middle' class access to higher education leading to narrow conceptualisations of both the role of higher education and its relationship to social systems. The questions raised by students and other participants in the struggles around education are not simply about education, nor are they resolvable by better education policies, plans and strategies, or by increasing state budgets for the higher education system, alone. They raised fundamental questions about the very nature of the 'decolonisation' and 'transformation' of post-apartheid society and how 'national development' and its political, socioeconomic , and cultural goals are to be realised. Because of space constraints we will concentrate on one issue alone – that is, the debate around the question of free higher education and whether it should be provided for the 'poor' or more universally 'for all'. We know that there is a raft of other issues that have been raised in the recent events around the role and purposes of universities bringing into focus conceptions of the decolonising of the university and simultaneously of its curriculum, forms of leadership and management, the racism and gender violence which has characterised university life at many campuses, the commodification of knowledge, the limited nature of its conceptions of scholarship and pedagogy, together with issues about intra-institutional inequality, matters concerning the governance of institutions, the 'culture ' of universities, language and other pertinent issues.
A fuller version of this paper of this paper was submitted to the editor of the New South African Review (forthcoming)in May 2016, the editor has agreed to the publication of this version given the immediacy of the issues raised in the paper and its potential uses for public engagement.

Research paper thumbnail of Réseau D'études Sur La Politique Technologique En Afrique: Une évaluation Externe

Research paper thumbnail of Comparative report on innovation systems and inequality in the BRICS : annex 5; BRICS project

Comparative report on innovation systems and inequality in the BRICS : annex 5; BRICS project

Research paper thumbnail of External evaluation : the African Technology Policy Studies Network; main technical report

Research paper thumbnail of Innovation and technological change in South Africa

Innovation and technological change in South Africa

This chapter explores the main achievements and remaining challenges in the governance of the Sou... more This chapter explores the main achievements and remaining challenges in the governance of the South African science, technology, and innovation (STI) system. While reflecting on the inherited features from the apartheid period, it focuses on the period between the two White Papers in 1996 and 2019. The chapter discusses the main shifts in policy emphasis (intents) of these two policy/institutional developments and connects them to the STI system performance and its measurement. It shows that the drastic shift in policy orientation towards addressing social imperatives and the quantitative improvements in the STI outputs since 1994, have not materialized in a radical transformation of the economy or the social relations inherited from apartheid. The chapter argues that the assessment of the STI system needs to be expanded through an evolutionary lens in order to activate the needed systemic transformations.

Research paper thumbnail of Higher Education and Transforming the National System of Ii

Research paper thumbnail of Innovation Strategies in Developing Countries

Innovation Strategies in Developing Countries

Research paper thumbnail of New challenges for universities beyond education and research

New challenges for universities beyond education and research

Science & public policy, Mar 1, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Planning & the Mixed-economy in South Africa

Combined and Uneven Development 'exploitation (surplus value extraction) at the point of producti... more Combined and Uneven Development 'exploitation (surplus value extraction) at the point of production [combined with] relations between market and non-market activities' Colonialism of a Special Type Public Management Traditional Autonomous though increasingly engaged

Research paper thumbnail of “The Fate of Mankind Is Again Closely Intertwined with the Fate of Russia”

Russia in global affairs, 2023

Turbulent events on the world stage are leading to inevitable changes, but what kind of changes? ... more Turbulent events on the world stage are leading to inevitable changes, but what kind of changes? Can we understand what the world situation will look like when the current crisis ends? We have asked leading intellectuals from countries outside the Western community to share their thoughts.

Research paper thumbnail of Lions on the Move : The Progress and Potential of African Economies, McKinsey Global Institute : book review

African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of “The Fate of Humanity Is Once Again Tightly Linked to That of Russia”

“The Fate of Humanity Is Once Again Tightly Linked to That of Russia”

Russia in global affairs, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Forms of Social Democracy and the relationship between Political Economy & Innovation Policy

Research paper thumbnail of Planning & Budgeting in South Africa: Some Reflections on Practices & Prejudices

Research paper thumbnail of Technology, Innovation and Productivity for Competitiveness

Research paper thumbnail of Technology, Innovation and Productivity for Competitiveness

Research paper thumbnail of Education, the state and class inequality

Education, the state and class inequality

New South African Review 6

Research paper thumbnail of Innovating beyond Racial Capitalism: A Contribution towards the Analysis of the Political Economy of Post-Apartheid South Africa

Innovating beyond Racial Capitalism: A Contribution towards the Analysis of the Political Economy of Post-Apartheid South Africa

ABSTRACT The struggle for a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa evolved ov... more ABSTRACT The struggle for a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa evolved over centuries of colonialism and imperialism. In 1990, a political transition away from a militarised apartheid regime overseeing racial capitalism towards a universally enfranchised constitutional democracy began. In 1994, historical changes heralded the start of a new policy development context underpinned by a strong ethos of participation and democracy with the objective of reconstructing and developing a better life for all. In 1996, South Africa became an early-adopter of the national system of innovation (NSI) approach to reforming its science and technology assets and improving the country's productive capabilities. This study explores the experiences of South Africa in developing economic and innovation policies and their resulting praxis. The study analyses the economic history of country's political economy and reviews the accumulation path underpinning racial capitalism, the demise of apartheid, and consequent interplay between historical continuities and revolutionary changes that colour (sic) the contemporary South Africa. The results of this study confirm the limitations of radical transformation within global capitalist relations of production and under the political hegemony of neo-liberal ideology. These constraints ultimately prevent the achievement of a better life for all South Africans. This study concludes that democratic participation enhances the performance of the NSI and affords opportunities for post-capitalist development.

Research paper thumbnail of “The Fate of Humanity Is Once Again Tightly Linked to That of Russia”

“The Fate of Humanity Is Once Again Tightly Linked to That of Russia”

Rossiya v globalnoi politike

Research paper thumbnail of “The Fate of Mankind Is Again Closely Intertwined with the Fate of Russia”

“The Fate of Mankind Is Again Closely Intertwined with the Fate of Russia”

Russia in Global Affairs

Research paper thumbnail of The Co-evolution of Innovation and Inequality

The Co-evolution of Innovation and Inequality

Inequality and Development Challenges, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of South Africa Country Report

South Africa Country Report

Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Deutsches, Europäisches und Internationales Medizinrecht, Gesundheitsrecht und Bioethik der Universitäten Heidelberg und Mannheim, 2005

GLOBELICS Workshop on Learning, Innovation, & Competence-building Systems in Brazil, Russ... more GLOBELICS Workshop on Learning, Innovation, & Competence-building Systems in Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa (BRICS), Aalborg, 13 February 2006.

Research paper thumbnail of Digital Development Cooperation Through SSC Lens: Challenges And Impact

T20 Policy Brief, 2022

The digitization of transactions simultaneously increases access to information, efficiency, and ... more The digitization of transactions simultaneously increases access to information, efficiency, and equity while resulting in innovations through the strategies of digitalization—a process that implies a core change in the entire operational model of exchange of goods and services and adds to reduction in transaction costs. Thus, digitalization as a means to reduce developmental differences among individuals through reduced transaction costs can be considered a strategic focus for development cooperation. This brief articulates the challenges and proposes some efforts to approach digital development cooperation through the lens of South-South Cooperation and argues a two-step method to facilitate the process.

Research paper thumbnail of Forms of Social Democracy and the relationship between Political Economy & Innovation Policy

The world of 2008 is home to an estimated 6.65 billion people. Humanity has deployed its evolutio... more The world of 2008 is home to an estimated 6.65 billion people. Humanity has deployed its evolutionary advantages to leverage a species wide total hegemony over the planet earth. This vast and extensive demography spans the globe and is socially organised through political structures. This ...