Solutions With David Ansara
85 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe world faces unique problems. Let’s solve them together.
Political analyst, David Ansara, interviews thinkers from a range of disciplines to find solutions to the world’s most intractable problems.
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Episodes
Bheki Mahlobo on South Africa’s economy in 2022
January 16, 2022 05:00 - 43 minutes - 80.5 MBIn this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with Bheki Mahlobo, Senior Analyst at the Centre For Risk Analysis, about the economic trends that will shape South Africa in 2022. South Africa has a small, open economy, which makes it vulnerable to shocks in the international system, so we spend some time analysing the global risks which may impact SA in the coming year. Bheki is especially concerned with the high level of fiscal and monetary stimulus in the global fi...
Chris Hattingh on free trade
December 12, 2021 06:48 - 44 minutes - 83.1 MBIn this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak to Chris Hattingh, deputy director at the Free Market Foundation, about the economic and social benefits of free trade. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction (00:44) Chris Hattingh on the economic benefits of free trade (05:02) Chris Hattingh on comparative advantage (09:21) Chris Hattingh on common criticisms of free trade (14:57) Chris Hattingh on decentralisation of economic power (17:06) Chris Hattingh on the...
David Benatar on the fall of UCT
December 05, 2021 05:00 - 47 minutes - 89 MBIn this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak to Professor David Benatar about his new book, 'The Fall of the University of Cape Town: Africa's leading university in decline'. Prof. Benatar and I discuss the origins of the Rhodes Must Fall movement in 2015, and how it later metastasized into the Fees Must Fall movement, unleashing a wave of violence, arson and intimidation at UCT. These destructive acts were met with acquiescence by the university authorities, who refu...
Helen Pluckrose on confronting Critical Theory
November 28, 2021 05:00 - 55 minutes - 102 MBIn this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with British writer Helen Pluckrose about the pernicious influence of Critical Theory, and how to push back against these dangerous ideas. Helen and I discuss the postmodern origins of Critical Theory, and how it escaped the ivory tower of academia to become mainstream. This has dramatically altered the way we talk about race, gender and sexuality, she says. Helen argues that what passes for 'Social Justice' is in fact ...
Russell Lamberti on cultural communities in South Africa
November 21, 2021 08:23 - 57 minutes - 107 MBHow do we build a sustainable social order in South Africa? In this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with Russell Lamberti, Chief Economist at Sakeliga, about cultural communities in South Africa. Russell and I analyse the causes and consequences of state failure in South Africa. How do we preserve liberty, safety and prosperity for South Africans when the state is failing to maintain its basic duties and obligations towards us as citizens? Russell advocates fo...
John Endres and Frans Cronje on SA's next transition
November 14, 2021 05:00 - 52 minutes - 97.9 MBIn this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with John Endres and Frans Cronje – the incoming and outgoing CEOs of the Institute of Race Relations – about the "next transition" in South African politics, and what this means for the future of the country. We discuss the ongoing decline of the ANC, first predicted by the IRR in 2012, and how this will define SA politics in the run-up to the national and provincial elections in 2024. Will the various opposition par...
Gabriel Crouse on the post-election fallout
November 07, 2021 09:45 - 44 minutes - 81.8 MBThis week, South Africa concluded one of the most consequential elections of the democratic era. In this episode of Solutions With David Ansara, I unpack the election results – and their impact on the future of South African politics – with Gabriel Crouse of the Institute of Race Relations. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro (00:28) Gabriel Crouse on understanding the election results (02:16) Gabriel Crouse on the record-low voter turnout (07:01) Gabriel Crouse on the decline of ANC domi...
Mark Oppenheimer on defending the Constitution
October 31, 2021 19:04 - 44 minutes - 81.9 MBSouth Africa's Constitution is widely lauded, but how strong is constitutional democracy and the rule of law in SA? In this episode of Solutions With David Ansara, I speak with Advocate Mark Oppenheimer of the Johannesburg Bar about defending South Africa's Constitution. We discuss Mark's new podcast, Constitutional Landmarks, which explores the most significant judgements handed down by the ConCourt since its inception, including the Nkandla judgement against former president Jacob Z...
Ian Cameron on winning the fight against crime
October 24, 2021 16:00 - 42 minutes - 78.8 MBHow do we solve South Africa's violent crime problem in the absence of a capable police service? In this episode of 'Solutions With David Ansara' I speak with Ian Cameron, a community safety specialist with Action Society, a civil society organisation dedicated to improving safety and security in South Africa. We start the conversation with a frank assessment of the South African Police Service, an institution in rapid decline. Starved of resources and subjected to political interference, ...
Geordin Hill-Lewis on fulfilling Cape Town’s potential
October 17, 2021 17:26 - 58 minutes - 108 MBIn this episode of Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate for the City of Cape Town, about his plans for fulfilling Cape Town's significant potential. Geordin became a Member of Parliament in 2011 and has served in various portfolio committees, including Trade and Industry, and Finance. He is "singularly obsessed with economic growth", and unlocking economic opportunities for all Capetonians is a key part of his campai...
Stephen Davies on the political realignment
October 10, 2021 16:32 - 57 minutes - 108 MBIs the world undergoing a fundamental political realignment? In this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, I speak with economic historian, Stephen Davies, of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in the United Kingdom. We discuss the new political alignment and what this means for societies around the world. Davies argues that political competition tends to revolve around a single binary, with political actors coalescing into broad coalitions on either side of a dominant...
John Kane-Berman on the legacy of the Institute of Race Relations
October 03, 2021 15:56 - 1 hour - 117 MBIn this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak to John Kane-Berman about the legacy of the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR). John led the Institute from 1983 until 2014, and this conversation shines a light on the history of South Africa's oldest liberal organisation, and details John's role in its activities and ideas. We start the discussion with a review of John's early career as a labour journalist, where he chronicled the mass entry of black worke...
Dawie Roodt on kick-starting South Africa's economy
September 26, 2021 16:48 - 43 minutes - 79.5 MBSouth Africa's economy is flatlining. How do we kick-start economic activity to ensure higher levels of investment and growth? In this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak to Dawie Roodt, Chief Economist and Director of the Efficient Group, about how to fix South Africa's ailing economy. Dawie and I analyse the causes of South Africa's recent decline, which has more to do with political factors than economic ones: the outsized influence of the Tripartite Alliance ...
Martin van Staden on the case for liberty
September 19, 2021 20:39 - 50 minutes - 93.6 MBIs the world confronting an illiberal moment? Many democratic societies are facing challenges from both the left and right against the very idea of liberal democracy itself. At the same time, governments around the world have adopted extraordinary powers in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Can liberalism survive these threats? In this week’s episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast I speak to legal researcher and commentator, Martin van Staden of Sakeliga, about the ...
Alex Nowrasteh on open borders
September 12, 2021 16:15 - 52 minutes - 96.9 MBWhat are the benefits of immigration from an economic and social perspective? How do we distinguish between various types of immigrants, and how should societies balance the benefits of immigration with other considerations, such as security and cultural integration? In this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with Alex Nowrasteh, a policy scholar and director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute in Washington DC, about the arguments for open borders. A...
Lovemore Ndou on fighting poverty
September 05, 2021 16:00 - 52 minutes - 97.6 MBIn this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, I speak with former world champion boxer turned lawyer, Lovemore Ndou, about his new memoir, Tough Love. We discuss Lovemore's rough childhood in 1980s Messina (now known as Musina), his escape to Australia, and his long journey to the top of the boxing world. We also reflect on the transformational power of education, and his "second career" as an attorney in Sydney. Lovemore and I dissect the current state of South Afr...
Douglas Carswell on Progress vs. Parasites
August 29, 2021 16:42 - 51 minutes - 95 MBWhat are the drivers of human progress? Why are some countries prosperous, while others remain mired in poverty? In this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak with former UK Conservative Party MP, Douglas Carswell, about the origins of human progress. Douglas and I discuss his book, 'Progress vs Parasites' (2019), which chronicles the history of human development as an ongoing struggle between the productive and the parasitic. Douglas notes that the division...
Phil Craig on Cape Independence
August 22, 2021 16:15 - 45 minutes - 85.1 MBAs South Africa becomes more politically unstable, the idea of Cape Independence is growing in popularity. But what would an independent Cape look like and what would Cape secession mean for the future of the country as a whole? In this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast I speak to Phil Craig of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) about why he believes complete independence is the only way to save the Cape. We discuss recent polling conducted by the CIAG which ...
Nicholas Lorimer on combatting fake news
August 15, 2021 15:23 - 34 minutes - 63.3 MBHow serious is the problem of fake news? How do we, as media consumers find credible and reliable sources of news in an information-abundant age? In this episode of the Solutions With David Ansara podcast, I speak to Nicholas Lorimer of the South African Institute of Race Relations – and host of the Daily Friend Show – about a recent paper he co-authored with Terence Corrigan on how to combat fake news. Although fake news may seem like a contemporary problem, Nicholas points out that ...
Magnus Heystek on offshoring your wealth
August 08, 2021 16:00 - 38 minutes - 71.2 MBSouth Africa has endured a "lost decade" of stagnant economic growth, resulting in poor returns on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. In this environment, how can South Africans protect their wealth and secure the financial wellbeing of their families? In this episode of Solutions With David Ansara, I speak to Magnus Heystek, Director of Brenthurst Wealth Management, about why you should diversify your investments and move your money offshore. Magnus and I discuss: - Why the JSE has ...
Frans Cronje on the future of South Africa
August 01, 2021 16:10 - 53 minutes - 99.5 MBSouth Africa is in the midst of a profound crisis. How will the country fare over the next decade? What should individuals, families and communities do to prepare themselves for an increasingly uncertain future? In this episode of 'Solutions With David Ansara', I speak to my colleague at the Centre For Risk Analysis, Dr Frans Cronje, about the future trajectory of South Africa, and how to develop a strategy to mitigate the downside risks of living in SA. Frans and I discuss: - What ...
James Tooley on really good schools
July 25, 2021 16:03 - 47 minutes - 88.1 MBA good education can provide a pathway out of poverty, but how do we improve the quality of schooling in poor countries? One solution is to enable low-fee private schools to flourish. In this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, I speak with Prof. James Tooley, Vice Chancellor at the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom, and author of several books on education in the developing world. Prof. Tooley and I discuss: - Why parents in poor countries tend to pref...
Gideon Joubert on community safety in a time of crisis
July 18, 2021 16:14 - 41 minutes - 76.1 MBThe mass public violence that swept through KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last week has resulted in widespread damage to property and the destruction of livelihoods. In light of these events, how do we as ordinary citizens take the necessary steps to protect ourselves, our families and our communities? In this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, I speak to safety and security expert, Gideon Joubert about the importance of locally-organised community safety initiatives in the...
Hussein Solomon on Islam and democracy
July 11, 2021 16:10 - 47 minutes - 88.2 MBWhat is the relationship between Islam and liberal democracy? How can Muslim countries achieve greater degrees of political competition, adherence to the rule of law and a separation of power between religion and state? In this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, I speak to Professor Hussein Solomon, Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of the Free State, about the problem of radical Islam today and the countervailing forces of moderation and sec...
Piet le Roux on state-proofing your business
July 04, 2021 16:00 - 41 minutes - 95.2 MBThe South African business environment is becoming increasingly hostile and uncertain. What can ordinary South Africans do to 'state-proof' their businesses? In this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, I speak to Piet le Roux, CEO of business group Sakeliga, about the steps that South African businesspeople can take to protect their organisations from damaging policies. Piet and I discuss the importance of diversifying your jurisdictional exposure and income streams, a...
Mark Oppenheimer on equality, discrimination and free speech
June 27, 2021 16:18 - 35 minutes - 82.2 MBWhy is free speech an important value in a democratic society and what are the threats facing freedom of expression in South Africa? How do we balance free speech against other constitutional values, such as dignity and equality? In this episode of 'Solutions With David Ansara', David speaks to Advocate Mark Oppenheimer about proposed amendments to South Africa's Promotion of Equality and the Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA). Mark and David highlight various problems w...
Richard Wilkinson on federalism in South Africa | Solutions With David Ansara Podcast #9
June 20, 2021 16:00 - 41 minutes - 77.1 MBSouth Africa's three-tiered system of government makes provision for nine provinces, each with its own legislature and executive. But are the provinces sufficiently empowered and how is the current constitutional structure enabling or constraining provincial administrations? Do they represent the interests of citizens? In this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, David is joined by Richard Wilkinson, an attorney with a special interest in provincial powers in South Africa....
Alexander Hammond on how free trade can reduce poverty in Africa
June 13, 2021 16:00 - 42 minutes - 78.8 MBHow can African countries boost economic growth and reduce extreme poverty? One approach is through the expansion of free trade on the continent. In this episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, David is joined by Alexander C.R. Hammond, Director of the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity (IATP), a joint project of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom. David and Alex discuss the link between free trade and...
Terence Corrigan on land reform in South Africa
June 06, 2021 16:02 - 47 minutes - 87.3 MBPrivate property rights are an essential component of democracy and economic development. South Africa has an unfortunate history of violating property rights, with many people still lacking access to land in the post-Apartheid era. The ANC government's proposed solution is a radical policy of Expropriation Without Compensation (EWC), in the form of an amendment to the property rights clause of the Constitution, as well as the proposed Expropriation Bill. If passed, these constitutional a...
Anthea Jeffery on alternatives to race-based affirmative action
May 30, 2021 16:02 - 45 minutes - 84.2 MBNearly three decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa continues to struggle from high levels of poverty and unemployment. Ostensibly to rectify this, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has advanced a policy framework of "Black Economic Empowerment" (BEE), which identifies disadvantage on the basis of race and allocates benefits accordingly. David Ansara speaks with Dr Anthea Jeffery, Head of Policy Research at the Institute of Race Relations, about the ideological underpi...
Rob Price on 'sound money' and Bitcoin
May 23, 2021 15:51 - 53 minutes - 98.7 MBThe global monetary system is undergoing a period of unprecedented uncertainty and instability. At the same time, there has been a surge of innovation in the form of digital currencies. David Ansara speaks with Los Angeles-based macro strategist and economist, Rob Price, about how digital currencies such as Bitcoin could provide a solution to the problem of 'unsound money'. TIMESTAMPS: (0:00) Intro (1:03) What is money? (5:53) 'Sound' versus 'unsound' money (9:04) The risk of 'u...
John Endres on how to rescue South Africa's economy
May 16, 2021 16:00 - 49 minutes - 92.2 MBSouth Africa's economy is stuck in a low-growth trap. Investment has dried up, and unemployment is soaring. Many of these problems are caused by bad governance and policies that constrain economic freedom. In this episode of the Solutions Podcast, David Ansara speaks with John Endres of the South African Institute of Race Relations about how market-friendly reforms could reignite the SA economy and lift millions of people out of poverty. READ ‘Growth and Recovery: A Strategy to #GetSo...
Armen K. Hovannisian on the Armenian Genocide
May 09, 2021 16:02 - 45 minutes - 84.3 MBOn 24 April 2021, US President Joe Biden officially recognised the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1916 in what was then the Ottoman Empire (today's Turkey). What are the implications of this for the geopolitics of the Caucuses region, and particularly for the US relationship with Turkey? David Ansara speaks with Armen K. Hovannisian of the Armenian Bar Association in Los Angeles about the historical events that led to the death of over a million Armenians and the significance of President Bid...
Marian Tupy on human progress (and its enemies)
May 02, 2021 16:21 - 45 minutes - 84.5 MBDavid Ansara speaks with Marian Tupy, editor of www.HumanProgress.org, about how the world is better off than we think it is and why we shouldn't take this progress for granted. (0:56) How absolute poverty is declining around the world (5:38) Income inequality and economic progress (10:20) Population growth and natural resources (16:18) Is global warming a genuine threat? (21:45) COVID-19 and government responses to the pandemic (25:08) Democracy and economic development (29:...
Helen Zille on surviving wokeness
April 26, 2021 11:10 - 42 minutes - 78.9 MB'Woke' ideology is spreading through the Western world, widening racial divisions and polluting public discourse. In this inaugural episode of the 'Solutions With David Ansara' podcast, David speaks with Helen Zille, a South African politician and author of a new book on 'wokeness', to discuss ways in which commonsense people can start to reclaim the rational liberal centre. Subscribe to 'Solutions With David Ansara' on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4s3EpzO3IXwHLh-nzGCcyw/