This book examines five hundred years of South African economic history.

While sharing some characteristics with other middle-income countries, South Africa is a country with a unique economic history and distinctive economic feature

This unique history highlights South Africa's complex and dynamic attempt to build a developmental state; an attempt that ultimately faltered.

Why has Africa remained persistently poor over its recorded history? Has Africa always been poor? What has been the nature of Africa's poverty and how do we exp

Together with Mauritius, Botswana is often categorized as one of two growth miracles in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to its spectacular long-run economic performance