Author Archives: Steven Gray
Torch-light rally in Charlottesville casts spotlight on Trump’s bigotry
America President Donald Trump’s rather meek and non-specific response to the death of three people – most prominently an anti-neo-Nazi demonstrator – has, seemingly, half of America up in arms.…
Toward a new electoral system for South Africa
In May 2017 the Rational Standard carried a piece by Nicholas Babaya calling for a number of democratic reforms in South Africa. The first was the introduction of a two-round…
Can the Oceans of Sub-Saharan Africa be its Gateway to Economic Prosperity?
CNN recently published an article presenting the decay across the oceans of Sub-Saharan Africa. It identified years of neglect and insecurity as two reasons the “blue economy” is contributing less…
Gun rights and our dying institutions
Fourth of July holds a special place in the hearts of Americans, not least because it is their celebration of their obtainment of freedom and the establishment of their country;…
The Emperor is Naked & Other Lessons from the No Confidence Secret Vote
The Emperor is indeed naked but as South Africans learned on the 8th of August 2017 amid the outcome of the secret ballot vote of no confidence in Jacob Zuma,…
The Guptas and Capitalism: Not as Related as You Might Think
The Gupta scandal which preoccupies much of South African’s time and outrage is difficult enough to unravel without analysts, experts and others who try to score a few political points…
Nordic countries exemplify the built-in failures of Socialism
Nordic countries exemplify the built-in failures of Socialism: The Nordic countries (or Nordics), consist of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway, as well as the Faroe Islands, Greenland and the…
Towards a DA-led Government?
Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South African politics and party affiliation have been racially defined. Having secured their democratic right to vote for the first time in 1994…
Cut China Some Slack – Africa Must Review its Engagement Strategy
The Council on Foreign Affairs recently published a piece on the controversial business practices of China in Africa. It highlighted the growing anti-Chinese sentiment due to increasing exploitation and monopoly…
Denmark’s Call for Birth Control in Africa Will Hurt Economies, Not Help
The recent pledge by Denmark to provide $14 million for family planning in Africa, although well-intentioned, is likely to hurt the overall effort on migration and jeopardize Africa’s economic growth.…