The concept of “inclusive growth” sounds so theoretical. The kind of thing we should leave academics and economists to worry about. I discovered something rather different during a fascinating interview yesterday with Rick Samans, a member ot the management board at the World Economic Forum.
Think Arab Spring. The rise of Fascism and Communism after World War One. Islamic fundamentalists at ISIS or Boko Haram. All were the creation of a failure of leadership. An inability by those who wielded power to implement economic policies that uplifted the majority rather than a favoured few.
The more people excluded, the greater risk of societal upheaval. The good news is recent research shows inclusive growth gives the economy a boost well beyond expectations, so the elite also benefit. The bad news is WEF’s report shows South Africa’s approach is highly inconsistent, raising the prospect of serious dislocation. As the late political genius Van Zyl Slabbert warned us a decade ago, leadership is so much more than dispensing largesse and hobnobbing with the world’s rich and powerful.
From Biznews community member Irvine Green
Heh heh…Â OHHHHHH HEH HEH HEH…
Now you know why I still enjoy cooking on a good old campfire, pots and pans and all (not a braai) when the mains go off (thanks to Eskom)…
And enjoy walking everywhere… and using good old pen and paper for accounting work (pens carry on just fine in dark or light, power or no power)… and good old paper based cash book and ledger…
I still know how to write legibly, read without a kindle, find my way without google maps, add without a calculator, build a crystal set, use a trenching tool if needed, and grow my OWN veggies.
Long live scouting, long live… And long live the old ways of getting around, finding ones way, telling’ direction by the stars and living off the land without outside help…!
I practice these as a matter of course – not just on certain occasions…
Or are we all old fashioned ? I DO NOT THINK SO…!
