Afr.j. polil. sci. (1999), Vol. 4 No. 2, 214-215 
BOOK REVIEW 
Ben Turok. Beyond The Miracle, Development And Economy In South Africa: A 
Reader. Fair Share, School of Goverment, University of Western Cape, South 
Africa. Pp. 130. R40.00 
It is widely accepted that the peaceful transition to parliamentary democracy in 
South Africa was little short of a miracle. The successful outcome of a negotiated 
transfer of power to majority rule was unexpected in a country where a race war 
was a more likely prospect. Even more significant is that with the substantial 
victory in the second democratic election, we now see the consolidation of the 
ANC's achievement. 
Attention now moves away from the purely political to the socioeconomic and 
the policies which the government will pursue in its quest for transformation of the 
economy and social relations in order to introduce the Better Life For All promised 
by the ANC. 
This book provides a set of ideas and proposals around the theme Growth and 
Development. It argues that the polarisation of society and the concentration of 
economic and social power in an exclusive white elite cannot be overcome by 
conventional growth economics. It requires a holistic approach led by a developmental 
state in partnership with business, and inclusive of civil society organisations. 
This will provide the legitimacy and momentum for the establishment of a 
participatory democracy. 
It is accepted that South Africa must observe the structures of sound macroeco 
nomic discipline to reassure international investors and institutions. Domestic 
business also seeks continuing certainty that the government will protect the value 
of the Rand, maintain national reserves, reduce inflation and contain state consumption 
expenditure. But the book argues that such discipline needs to be 
accompanied by positive programmes to stimulate the economy, especially its 
overall productive capacity, and carefully selected social spending. This is also in 
line with current thinking in the World Bank. 
Hence industrial policy should target more than the export sector, crucial as this 
1027-0353 ©1999 African Association of Political Science
Beyond The Miracle 215 
is. Overcoming widespread poverty and creating employ meni opportunities across 
the country, in urban and rural areas, requires an intensive effort driven by n 
decisive development perspective This implies a massive human and social 
capital programme with the full participation of civil society orgunisuiions There 
are important implications for Black limpowermcnl here, which are examined in 
a bold and direct manner in (he book. 
The author docs not shirk other difficult questions around the transformation of 
South Africa from an apartheid society riddled with conflict to a people-centred 
and people-driven democratic system based on justice and equity, 
The book is meant for the general reader but .should be useful for policy makers 
and students in the broad area of development studies, politics and economics. It 
consists of short articles and is easy to read. 
Anon.
Afr.j. polil. sci. (1999), Vol. 4 No. 2, 214-215 
BOOK REVIEW 
Ben Turok. Beyond The Miracle, Development And Economy In South Africa: A 
Reader. Fair Share, School of Goverment, University of Western Cape, South 
Africa. Pp. 130. R40.00 
It is widely accepted that the peaceful transition to parliamentary democracy in 
South Africa was little short of a miracle. The successful outcome of a negotiated 
transfer of power to majority rule was unexpected in a country where a race war 
was a more likely prospect. Even more significant is that with the substantial 
victory in the second democratic election, we now see the consolidation of the 
ANC's achievement. 
Attention now moves away from the purely political to the socioeconomic and 
the policies which the government will pursue in its quest for transformation of the 
economy and social relations in order to introduce the Better Life For All promised 
by the ANC. 
This book provides a set of ideas and proposals around the theme Growth and 
Development. It argues that the polarisation of society and the concentration of 
economic and social power in an exclusive white elite cannot be overcome by 
conventional growth economics. It requires a holistic approach led by a developmental 
state in partnership with business, and inclusive of civil society organisations. 
This will provide the legitimacy and momentum for the establishment of a 
participatory democracy. 
It is accepted that South Africa must observe the structures of sound macroeco 
nomic discipline to reassure international investors and institutions. Domestic 
business also seeks continuing certainty that the government will protect the value 
of the Rand, maintain national reserves, reduce inflation and contain state consumption 
expenditure. But the book argues that such discipline needs to be 
accompanied by positive programmes to stimulate the economy, especially its 
overall productive capacity, and carefully selected social spending. This is also in 
line with current thinking in the World Bank. 
Hence industrial policy should target more than the export sector, crucial as this 
1027-0353 ©1999 African Association of Political Science
Beyond The Miracle 215 
is. Overcoming widespread poverty and creating employ meni opportunities across 
the country, in urban and rural areas, requires an intensive effort driven by n 
decisive development perspective This implies a massive human and social 
capital programme with the full participation of civil society orgunisuiions There 
are important implications for Black limpowermcnl here, which are examined in 
a bold and direct manner in (he book. 
The author docs not shirk other difficult questions around the transformation of 
South Africa from an apartheid society riddled with conflict to a people-centred 
and people-driven democratic system based on justice and equity, 
The book is meant for the general reader but .should be useful for policy makers 
and students in the broad area of development studies, politics and economics. It 
consists of short articles and is easy to read. 
Anon.