The state of the nation: poverty & inequality: diagnosis, prognosis and responses

Abstract

State of the Nation 2018 covers a diversity of perspectives that highlight the interrelationship and intersectionality between structural, economic, cultural and psychosocial dimensions of the South African social experience. Specifically, the authors analyse the complexity of poverty and inequality beyond an over-determination of the economic and the wealth index in South Africa.

Inequality results in deeply entrenched social and economic exclusions that inhibit sustainable human development and self-actualisation. It goes beyond food crises, health care access, infrastructure development and availability of resources, and affects the heart of political conflicts, climate change, the inequitable treatment of capital and workers, and indeed human relations. The combination of inequality with structural poverty, severe unemployment and slow economic recovery sets challenges throughout society, from political leadership to communities and families. Starting from a global perspective, each of the volume???s chapters offers significant critiques and analyses, including topics such as socio-economic rights, migration, indebtedness, the context of the National Development Plan, informal trading and education.

Diagnosis enables us to identify the nature, causes and circumstances of the problem. Our prognosis offers opinions, forecasts and predictions related to the symptoms. Our responses enable perspectives and techniques to interrogate new ways of thinking about the problems, and which may help close the gap, minimize inequalities and offer directions towards the resolution of poverty and inequality.