On The Colonial Roots of South Africa's Divergence: A Comprehensive Analysis of South African Economic Performance, 1600 - 1961

Abstract

This thesis examines the long-term effects of colonial governance on economic performance in South Africa. It offers a unique comprehensive analysis by including various indicators to help analyse South Africa's economy from 1600 until 1961. One of the most notable contributions of this thesis is the reconstruction of interest rates in South Africa from the late eighteenth century onwards. It is postulated that South Africa as a settler colony has benefitted from the presence of colonial institutions, which helped to realise sustained economic growth. Furthermore the thesis explores some of the implications that the results of this study have for the validity of the concept 'Good Governance', often deemed important by Western donors.

Included in this document is also a detailed report of the seminar organised together with fellow UU student Han Compagne on good governance as part of our internship at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.