Structural Transformation in South Africa: The Challenges of Inclusive Industrial Development in a Middle-Income Country

Structural Transformation in South Africa provides a new micro-meso level framework and evidence linking country-specific and global dynamics of change,with a focus on the current challenges and opportunities faced by middle-income countries. It reveals the complex set of interlocking country-specific factors that have hampered structural transformation over several decades,but also the emerging productive areas and opportunities for structural change. The book analyses the ways in which both the domestic and global drivers of structural transformation shape-and,in some cases,are shaped by-a country s political settlement and its evolution.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Structural Transformation in South Africa is a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities faced by the country in its pursuit of economic development and social change. As a significant case study, it offers a novel micro-meso-level framework that connects country-specific and global dynamics of change, with a particular focus on the current challenges and opportunities faced by middle-income countries.

In-depth analyses of industry groupings and interests in South Africa reveal the complex set of interlocking country-specific factors that have hindered structural transformation over several decades. However, they also highlight emerging productive areas and opportunities for structural change.

South Africa's structural transformation trajectory is unique due to its industrial structure, concentration, and highly internationalized economy, as well as the objective of black economic empowerment. The book explores how these micro-meso dynamics are linked to global forces driving economic, institutional, and social change, including digital industrialization, global value chain consolidation, financialization, environmental sustainability challenges, and others.

While these new drivers of change are disrupting existing industries and interests in some areas, they are also reinforcing existing trends and configurations of power. The book analyzes how both domestic and global drivers of structural transformation shape and are shaped by a country's political settlement and its evolution. By focusing on the political economy of structural transformation, the book aims to disentangle the specific dynamics underlying the South African experience of the middle-income country conundrum.

In conclusion, Structural Transformation in South Africa provides valuable insights into the complex processes of economic development and social change. By examining the challenges and opportunities faced by South Africa, as well as by connecting these dynamics to global forces, the book offers a valuable contribution to the study of structural transformation in middle-income countries.

Weight: 780g
Dimension: 241 x 165 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192894311