WHY CAPITALISM TRIUMPHS BUT FAILS ELSEWHERE

Abstract

This paper emanates from the occasional papers produced by the Centre for Development and Enterprise in November of 2001. It is basically a South African conversation with Hernando de Soto. The paper therefore, is a synopsis and summary of this important conversation. It bears immense relevance to development, entrepreneurship, the economy, politics, business, money, ownership, governments, states and the poor, including a host of other social issues. The paper is therefore, important to the management student, to the business environment, the success of governments and their failures, and to society as a whole, given the economic crisis that began in 2008 and, persists even today. It does not add to the debate, but exemplifies the importance of this discussion to contemporary society and to the developing world. The author uses his own insights, observations and experiences as a South African, born over six decades ago in the city of Durban, in the province KwaZulu-Natal, to add to the conversation.