Policy thread
Some NB questions to ask of a policy. I answer them w.r.t the DA draft Economic Justice Policy.

1. What problem does this policy seek to address?
2. What approach to the problem does the policy take?
3. Will it be an improvement to current policy? In what way?

1. The Economic Justice Policy is a response to the problem of historical and persistent economic exclusion. It confronts the reality that over two decades after apartheid the majority of South Africans find themselves excluded from the economy. How do we approach this challenge?

2.1 The policy explains why BEE, ie ‘trickle down redress’ hasn’t worked. Empowering elites doesn’t trickle down to majority. It advocates for a multi factor view of economic exclusion. Factors work together to create a cycle of deprivation. They must each be addressed.

2.2 What are the main drivers of economic exclusion? Not white monopoly capital. It’s:
-Unemployment
-Poor education outcomes
-Spatial inequality
-Mobility costs
-Malnutrition & Poor Healthcare
-Low savings & savings in low return vehicles
-Unequal sharing of childcare

2.2 Our approach is closest philosophically to a Rawlsian view of justice, the capabilities approach associated with Amartya Sen and the policy grounding of this concept by Martha Nussbaum. Thus the SDGs used as a scorecard, if you will, for economic inclusion are a great fit.

2.3 Our approach is to tailor the SDGs to the South African reality. Many listed companies globally report on SDG contribution already. Unlike a model which alienates investors, this will be attractive. Provides greater scope to align financial return and social impact.

3. Simply, how does it compare to current legislation on empowerment?