An Economic History of South Africa
Conquest, Discrimination, and Development

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

Charles H. Feinstein (Author)

9780521616416, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 23 June 2005

328 pages, 5 maps 47 tables
22.6 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.43 kg

'… a masterful contribution to our understanding of the interplay between the processes of conquest, discrimination and economic development in South Africa up until the advent of democracy in 1994. … this book is essential.' Journal of African History

This book is the first economic history of South Africa in over sixty years. Professor Charles H. Feinstein offers an authoritative survey of five hundred years of South African economic history from the years preceding European settlements in 1652 through to the post-Apartheid era. He charts the early phase of slow growth, and then the transformation of the economy as a result of the discovery of diamonds and gold in the 1870s, followed by the rapid rise of industry in the wartime years. The final chapters cover the introduction of apartheid after 1948, and its consequences for economic performance. Special attention is given to the processes by which the black population were deprived of their land, and to the methods by which they were induced to supply labour for white farms, mines and factories. This book will be essential reading for students in economics, African history, imperial history and politics.

1. Setting the context: South Africa in international perspective
2. Seizing the land: conquest and dispossession
3. Making the labour force: Coercion and discrimination
4. Creating the colour bar: formal barriers, poor whites, and 'civilized' labour
5. Exporting the gold: the vital role of the mineral revolution
6. Transforming the economy: the rise of manufacturing and commercial agriculture
7. Separating the races: the imposition of apartheid
8. Forcing the pace: rapid progress despite constraints
9. Hitting the barriers: from triumph to disaster: 10. Confronting the contradictions: the final crisis and the retreat from apartheid.

Subject Areas: Economic history [KCZ], Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000 [HBLW3], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], African history [HBJH], Regional studies [GTB]