State of the nation

2014 is a year of celebration on 20 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa. Simultaneously it is a time for reflection on how these two decades transformed the country and what trends emerged. Substantial progress has been made in many developmental areas, such as delivery of infrastructure and reduction of extreme poverty. Other areas are characterised by persistent barriers that set complex challenges for the future, among which unemployment, economic growth, poverty and inequalities prominently feature. It is a time to look back, ask where we stand today and deliberate on where we are heading. This seventh edition in the internationally acclaimed State of the Nation series from HSRC Press is a significant contribution to the debates around the impact of 20 years of freedom and democracy on South Africa. Resonating with a wealth of research in a variety of disciplines and cross-disciplinary fields, leading scholars analyse and reflect on an emerging balance sheet that urges all South Africans towards a fair, coherent and multi-pronged approach to development, in which all stakeholders need to participate. The two decades of freedom and democracy are viewed through the lenses of politics, economics, society, health, environment and the global context. Each of these sections offers illuminating and significant analyses, some with a specific focus, others providing a longitudinal perspective. Together they create a multi-faceted set of critiques of topics of national importance such as governability of the state; the National Development Plan; Constitutional rights; employment creation; HIV and AIDS; media freedom; and the position of South Africa in BRICS. Across the world, scholars, academics, policymakers and general readers look to the annual editions of State of the Nation as influential frames of reference for South African current affairs and the pathways forward. The current edition will not disappoint these readers. State of the Nation 2014 presents: Insightful reflections on two decades of freedom and democracy, emerging trends and future perspectives; A definitive bridge between longitudinal studies and compelling narratives; Critical views that will challenge understanding of past and current affairs The research reference for the next decade.