Chapter 4: Challenges Faced By South Africa Flashcards
What is included in the bill of rights, otherwise also known as socioeconomic rights
right to education
right to food
right to health
right to land
right to housing
right to social security
right to water environmental rights
What characterizes the South African economy
The economy is characterized by high levels of unemployment, inequality, debt, and unique challenges like land reform
What are the two primary challenges that South Africa faces
Unemployment and inequality
Explain unemployment
An unemployed person that someone who seeks but cannot find employment.
There are two definitions to measure the unemployment rate - the strict definition is someone who meets the following criteria:
- they are part of the economically active population (15-65 years of age)
- are able and willing to work within two weeks of data collection
- they have actively searched for employment or self-employment in the four weeks leading up to data collection
The expanded definition includes those who have given up on finding employment or are not actively looking
Explain the impact of unemployment
High and increasing levels of unemployment is one of the primary causes of poverty in societies around the world. The negative impact of unemployment is felt in various areas of that person’s life because it severely limits the ability of that person to access decent housing, basic services, as well as quality education and healthcare.
The unemployed population depends on welfare, and social safety nets have led to higher levels of state debt. In order to sustain services, the government will have to raise the tax levels in a country, which overtime can lead to higher inflation.
Unemployment can also lead to psychological health issues, such as, suffering from depression and developing a low self-esteem, which has a spill over effect into families and communities where the unemployed live. These communities have a higher level of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as higher levels of crime
Explain inequality
The a various forms of inequality - the prominent ones in South Africa being:
- socio-economic inequality (where there is a disparity between groups based on the economic class that they belong to)
- racial inequality (where certain racial groups have more privilege and resources compared to others), and also gender and sexual orientation.
Explain the impact of inequality
Health issues are worsened by inequality. People living in more affluent areas tend to live significantly longer than their neighbors in more impoverished areas.
Explain proportional equality
‘Aristotle’ does not believe that all people are equal and deserve the same amount of resources therefore leading to a proportional equality - a situation where resources are distributed on what they deserve.
‘John Locke’ believes that all men are born equal but when they enter society, they enter a social contract of sort. As soon as we start applying our labor to resources, an unequal distribution of resources will emerge as not all people are willing to work as hard as others.
‘John Rawls’ coined the “difference principle”, according to him, inequality is acceptable as long as it is arranged where it is to the greatest possible benefit of the least advantage member of society.
Explain corruption
It is the abuse of public power for private benefit
Explain economic inequality
Refers to the difference in the economic position of its citizens. This is influenced by economic resources such as income and economic assets
What are the different forms of corruption
- bribery > using gifts or favors in exchange for personal gain
- nepotism > using power to unduly benefit friends of family
- influence peddling > using influence in government to obtain favors or preferential treatment usually in exchange for payment
Explain the impact of corruption
The billions of rands lost as a result of the mismanagement of funds.
