Ilan Strauss

Bio: Ilan Strauss is an academic researcher from University of Johannesburg. The author has contributed to research in topics: Regional integration & Balance of payments. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 10 publications receiving 64 citations. Previous affiliations of Ilan Strauss include University College London & University of the Witwatersrand.

Understanding South Africa’s current account deficit: The role of foreign direct investment income

Abstract: This article highlights the prominence of net investment income payments made to foreign direct investors in South Africa’s current account deficit. After a brief history of South Africa’s balance of payments, we describe several factors driving the growth of South Africa’s direct investment assets and liabilities, including the roles of China and Africa as investment destinations and the relisting of major South African companies abroad. The slow accumulation of direct investment assets by South African firms before 2006, coupled with the higher returns on South Africa’s direct investment liabilities, has contributed to an imbalance in the country’s net FDI income, while a compositional shift in the stock of non-FDI liabilities has helped to decrease its payments to non-direct investors. If South African firms continue to invest productively abroad, net FDI income may contribute less to South Africa’s current account deficit in the future. The trade deficit remains a major area of concern.

The Ten Commandments of Applied Regional Integration Analysis: The African Case

Abstract: This paper offers ten guidelines for researchers to improve their analysis of regional integration and their approach to regional integration. By way of analysis, regional integration statistics are often misunderstood or poorly constructed. In one way or another this leads to an oversimplification of their meaning. With respect to the approach taken by policymakers to regional integration, the goals of Africa's regional integration have not been seriously interrogated; nor have the necessary national and regional preconditions for achieving even a minimal form of regional integration that is sustainable.

The impact of minimum wage increases on the South African economy in the Global Policy Model

Abstract: This paper uses the United Nations Global Policy Model (GPM) to assess how increasing minimum wages might impact the South African economy by increasing the share of income going to workers (the ‘labour share’) – in contrast to the share that accrues to capital through profits and property income. We simulate the implementation of a national minimum wage through increasing labour compensation in a manner which sees real-wage growth ‘catching up’ to and then outstripping labour-productivity growth in the period 2015–2025; we refer to this as increasing ‘relative’ real wages. The results indicate that higher ‘relative’ real wage growth rebalances national income: the labour share increases since relative wages rise (by definition) and employment is roughly maintained (endogenous response). A rising labour share has in turn a positive effect overall on the South African economy in the model: consumption expenditure rises as national income shifts towards wage earners as a whole, who have a higher propensity to consume than profit earners. However, there are moderate or small negative effects as investment as a share of GDP falls marginally, as the profit rate falls (though the absolute level of investment is higher as GDP rises), employment declines marginally, and there is slight weakening of the current account.

Book Review: OECD, Growing Unequal? Income Distribution and Poverty in OECD Countries:

Abstract: Será que a desigualdade de rendimentos aumentou durante os últimos tempos? Quem ganhou e quem perdeu neste processo? Este processo afectou todos os países da OCDE uniformemente? Em que medida é que maiores desigualdades de rendimentos são a consequência de maiores diferenças nos rendimentos dos trabalhadores e até que ponto são afectados por outros factores? Finalmente, como é que a redistribuição governamental através do sistema de benefícios fiscais afecta estas tendências?

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Abstract: The Commonwealth is a free association of sovereign independent slates, numbering 50 at the beginning of 1993. There is no charter, treaty or constitution; the association is expressed in co-operation, consultation and mutual assistance for which the Commonwealth Secretariat is the central co-ordinating body.

Annual Report 2012 -個人別教育研究報告-

Abstract: Our school prides itself on providing the best opportunities for each child. The academic achievements have been and continue to be well above Western Australian and National averages, while the pastoral care programs that operate in the school teach children the specific social and emotional skills they need in order to develop and maintain friendships and a strong sense of selfworth. Students have a strong sense of pride in the school and display significant support for each other. Student success is valued, supported and celebrated by all.

House of Debt: How They (and You) Caused the Great Recession, and How We Can Prevent It from Happening Again

Abstract: The House of Debt captures an interesting theme that links the financial crisis of 2008 with the household debt and particularly the mortgage debt. This work constitutes a detailed analysis of the latest financial crisis and provides all the necessary tools in order for us to be prepared in future similar cases. The book explores how a sharp increase in household debt and the subsequent reduction in consumption led to the Great Recession and Great Depression, as well as the current economic problems in Europe. Professors Mian and Sufi focus on the problems created by macroeconomic effects of private debt beyond the absolute trust on the established economic belief that the banking sector's downfall caused the recession. They employ a comprehensive analysis of the data throughout the crisis period and before in order to learn from the past and prevent same situations from happening again. Therefore, through a detailed analysis that is based on empirical data Mian and Sufi argue about the implemented policy choices. The work is divided into three main parts that include the general description of the recession, the debt and bubbles and the proposed approach to prevent it from happening again. The first part illustrates the consequences of the economic recession, such as job losses, collapse in consumption and wealth inequality. The fundamental idea is the understanding of debt's role in the financial system. Severe economic declines seem to be almost always preceded by an up rise in household debt. By using a collection of facts from the recent economic history Mian and Sufi uncover the mechanism that leads to these economic contractions.