[intro]UHURU NOW: what is to be done at our universities is a series of conversations by academics, thought-leaders and debaters, which seeks to archive contemporary dialogue on transformation and decolonization at higher education institutions. The series aims to shift the discourse, introduce fresh ways of thinking and provide meaningful debate on issues around transformation in order to drive social change.[/intro]
Recently Ihsaan Bassier, a graduate student in economics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa, wrote a thought provoking essay for GroundUp, a local news website, on the need to “decolonise” the teaching of undergraduate economics at that university. Economics in South African universities is currently taught in the manner and methods of the neoclassical school which has been shaped by universities in the West. The neoclassicals emphasise the primacy of markets in resolving questions about production and distribution.
For Bassier, a decolonised curriculum is one that puts the teaching of South Africa’s economic realities (inequality, poverty, unemployment, demographic underrepresentation, racism, etcetera) at the heart of the curriculum. It matters that we decolonise economics, argues Bassier, because most students don’t go onto graduate studies, “where theories are supposedly interrogated.” As a result, “they will enter policy and business [professions] thinking that intervention always harms the poor, that outsourcing is only ever efficient, and that markets are ultimately fair towards employees.”
Bassier’s critique forms part of a broader conversation on decolonising university curricula currently taking place on campuses across South Africa (and in the United States and parts of Western Europe). That debate has now slowly moved to the disciplines, especially the social sciences and the humanities. See here, here and here.
My own experience at UCT agrees with his general observations. I did all my graduate study there (Honours, Masters and PhD) and taught undergraduate economics in that School from 2012 to 2014. What I’ll do here is add a little to Bassier’s arguments (with examples) and respond to some of the criticisms raised by his essay in South Africa.
Let’s look at the way the “Labour Market” is taught to undergraduates at UCT. The importance of this market cannot be overemphasised given the high levels of unemployment and wage disparities in the country. Naturally, students come to class with the expectation that they will understand what they see around them. Unfortunately, the standard material disappoints.
Start with wages. Students want to know why an executive at a financial company earns R80 million (US$5million) per year and why someone on the janitorial staff might earn only R35,000 (US$2,300); that is about 2,000 times more. The standard story is that wages are determined by “marginal productivity”. In other words, people are paid according to how much they “contribute” to the company. So the executive earns 2,000 times more because he contributes 2,000 times more.
This story is only partly true because we know that wage disparities are also a result of executive capture of the compensation process. That is, executives are in many ways determining the sort of pay packages that they receive (see the work of Piketty and friends). A decolonised curriculum would also stress this other channel through which income disparities arise.
Now consider minimum wages. We teach students that minimum wages result in unemployment and the only exception, slipped in as a by the way, is the case of monopsony. That is, minimum wages are only beneficial to workers if the labour market is dominated by a single employer. The logic is simple: a single employer will force down wages so that instituting a minimum wage can actually increase earnings and employment. But the South African labour market is to a large extent dominated by monopsonists. UCT is itself a big player in the market for hiring janitorial staff – that’s precisely what the #EndOutSourcing protests on campuses are about. And so too are Labour brokers. Monopsony, therefore, has to feature prominently when teaching labour markets in the South African context.
But let’s get to the commentary on Bassier’s post. Surprisingly, given what’s at stake, there’s been very little of it. Save for a few references on social media, there was this response of Johan Fourie, a lecturer in economics at Stellenbosch University and avid blogger, that deserves some reaction. One of Fourie’s key accusations, without any basis, was that Bassier wanted to “remove content.” This is of course a distortion of Bassier’s views. Bassier simply wants the curriculum to reflect South African realities. That distinction is important.
Fourie then claims that graduate studies offer a more decolonised curriculum than undergraduate studies. But this is at odds with my own experience as a graduate student at UCT, where the teaching only serves to entrench the neoclassical school. Just flip through the content of the standard graduate textbooks. And even when, as PhD students, we conduct South African-centred research, the research questions are asked through a neoclassical lens. I too would have been a priest of this school had I not sought alternative views.
Finally, Fourie suggests that undergraduates take-up economic history electives as a way of introducing local context to their overall learning. I agree with him on the importance of history, but unlike him, I’d want South African historical context to feature prominently in the compulsory undergraduate economics courses. Students shouldn’t have to take an elective to learn about the role played by the egregious hut tax in the rise of South Africa’s mining industry. Students shouldn’t have to take an elective to learn that the high levels of income and wealth inequality in South Africa today are related to large-scale systematic dispossession and discrimination over the course of history.
Ihsaan Bassier has started a really useful and long overdue conversation about the place of economics teaching in the South African academy. It’s time to start thinking about the answers.
This article originally appeared in Africa is a Country.
Monopsony is a market similar to a monopoly except that a large buyer not seller controls a large proportion of the market and drives the prices down. Sometimes referred to as the buyer’s monopoly. (Investopedia)
UHURU Now logo courtesy of ARTicles by Sarah Rose de Villiers.
Thanks for another informative website. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My website is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would really benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Many thanks!
I simply must tell you that you have written an excellent and unique article that I really enjoyed reading. I’m fascinated by how well you laid out your material and presented your views. Thank you.download video twitter
What i do not understood is actually how you’re not actually much more well-liked than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!
I simply must tell you that you have written an excellent and unique article that I really enjoyed reading. I’m fascinated by how well you laid out your material and presented your views. Thank you.download video twitter
Very informative and wonderful complex body part of content material, now that’s user genial (:.
It’s best to participate in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I will recommend this web site!
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, appreciate it.
Good job on this article! I really like how you presented your facts and how you made it interesting and easy to understand. Thank you.Landscaping Wellington
The article posted was very informative and useful. You people are doing a great job. Keep going.Wellington Landscaper
When do you think this Real Estate market will go back in a positive direction? Or is it still too early to tell? We are seeing a lot of housing foreclosures in Altamonte Springs Florida. What about you? Would love to get your feedback on this.sex 222
Now we know who the ssebnile one is here. Great post!Click here
You are my intake, I have few web logs and infrequently run out from to brand.
Thanks for making the honest attempt to speak about this. I believe very robust approximately it and want to read more. If it’s OK, as you gain more in depth wisdom, would you thoughts adding extra articles similar to this one with additional information? It might be extremely useful and useful for me and my friends.sex gay
FitSpresso is a weight loss supplement developed using clinically proven ingredients extracted from natural sources.
Finding the Right Immigration Solicitor… […]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visitLandscape Architect Wellington NZ
Made to measure curtains… […]check out the sites listed below, worth a read for interiors and rugs enthusiastsLandscape Designer Wellington NZ
Your writing has a real impact on me.급전
Your writing style is both engaging and informative.대출
Your blog is one of a kind, i love the way you organize the topics.:’-”‘situs porno
It’s truly a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Your writing style is engaging and informative.대출
I’ve learned so much from reading your blog, thank you!대출
Sight care is a vision enhancement aid made of eleven carefully curated science-backed supplements to provide overall vision wellness.
Your passion for this topic is evident in every word.급전
hello!,I really like your writing so so much! percentage we be in contact extra approximately your article on AOL? I need a specialist in this house to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Having a look ahead to see you.
When visiting blogs, i usually discover a very good content like yours
Thanks for the valuable information. This is very helpful.nexusnook
Good job on this article! I really like how you presented your facts and how you made it interesting and easy to understand. Thank you.
Fantastic read! You’ve explained everything so clearly.echozone
Ikaria Lean Belly Juice is a dietary supplement that helps in losing weight.
The article posted was very informative and useful. You people are doing a great job. Keep going.
You always provide such detailed and well-researched content. Thank you!pulsepeak
you’re in reality a excellent webmaster. The site loading speed is incredible. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you have done a magnificent process in this topic!
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
The article posted was very informative and useful. You people are doing a great job. Keep going.Property Mortgage Consultant Wellington NZ
I’m always impressed by the depth of knowledge and insight you bring to your posts. This was another fantastic article. Thank you!echozone
Your blog is a wealth of information. I always learn something new from your posts. This one was particularly enlightening. Great job!blogpulse
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back very soon. I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice day!
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Cheers
Hello there I am so grateful I found your blog page, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Digg for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great work.
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog visitors have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such great information being shared freely out there.
I really appreciate the thoroughness of your research and the clarity of your writing. This was a very insightful post. Great job!slotcoin
Great post, you have pointed out some fantastic details , I also conceive this s a very fantastic website.
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was once entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t consider just how much time I had spent for this info! Thank you!
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. Many thanks
This post was incredibly informative and well-organized. I learned so much from reading it. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!rendingnicheblog
You consistently produce high-quality content that is both informative and enjoyable to read. This post was no exception. Keep it up!pulsepeak
What Is Sugar Defender Supplement? Sugar Defender is a plant-based supplement and it helps to regulate the blood sugar levels in the body.
The article posted was very informative and useful. You people are doing a great job. Keep going.situs bokep
When visiting blogs, i usually discover a very good content like yoursbokep viral
I am definitely bookmarking this website and sharing it with my acquaintances. You will be getting plenty of visitors to your website from me!bokep viral
When visiting blogs, i usually discover a very good content like yoursbig boobs sex doll
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what people wrote but this web site is very user friendly ! .bokep jepang
What i do not realize is actually how you’re now not actually a lot more smartly-liked than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You already know therefore considerably in the case of this matter, produced me for my part believe it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated unless it’s one thing to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. Always take care of it up!
First, let’s kill off a genuine fabrication: You can not use a reverse cellular phone number lookup for totally free anywhere, anytime.bokep jepang
Regards for this wonderful post, I am glad I detected this site on yahoo.
Simply wanna input on few general things, The website style and design is perfect, the content is very wonderful : D.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
Enjoyed looking at this, very good stuff, thankyou. “Management is nothing more than motivating other people.” by Lee Iacocca.
magnificent post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
I was examining some of your articles on this website and I think this web site is very informative ! Retain putting up.
You are a very persuasive writer. I can see this in your article. You have a way of writing compelling information that sparks much interest.Taxi Bruxelles
F*ckin’ remarkable things here. I’m very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
This really answered my problem, thanks!
I am forever thought about this, thankyou for posting.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Certainly with your thoughts here and that i love your blog! I’ve bookmarked it making sure that I can come back & read more in the foreseeable future.real slots real money
At this time it looks like WordPress is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
This design is spectacular! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
I am curious to find out what blog system you’re using? I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?ChatGPT prompts
cheers for the actual article i have recently been on the lookout with regard to this kind of advice on the net for sum time right now so many thanksChatGPT prompts
I am curious to find out what blog system you’re using? I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?ChatGPT prompts
Be grateful you for spending time to speak about this, I think strongly about that and delight in reading read more about this topic. Whenever possible, just like you become expertise, do you mind updating your web site with a lot more details? It can be highly great for me. Two thumb up in this article!ChatGPT prompts
What is your most noted accomplishment. They may want good listeners rather than good talkers.GPTS
Nice to be visiting your blog once more, it continues to be months for me. Nicely this post that i’ve been waited for so lengthy. I want this article to total my assignment in the university, and it has same topic together with your post. Thanks, terrific share.ChatGPT prompts
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!OpenAI
I have been reading out many of your articles and i can claim pretty nice stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.Baby blanket monogram
Wow this hit it to the spot we will bookmark on Bebo and also Hub pages thanks ГородÑкую комиÑÑию по землепользованию Ñменил МоÑинвеÑтконтроль | ПрофеÑÑиональные новоÑти | ООО “Белго+” – Двери производÑтва БелоруÑи. Продажа, уÑтановка love it And also my prayers to the people at atomic plant we hope you are OK along with safer too !!! Kudos Financial AdvisersBaby blanket applique
Interesting website, i read it but i still have a few questions. shoot me an email and we will talk more becasue i may have an interesting idea for you.Leading Graphite Recycling Technology Suppliers
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful! Thanks!Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lolautism sports programs near me