Black economic empowerment and social values in South Africa

This research project's purpose is to produce a book, provisionally entitled Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa, that will consist of six sections, each focusing on a different aspect of black economic empowerment (BEE). It will be the first book of its kind in bringing major sociological perspectives to bear on black economic empowerment. It will, in addition, include important national discussions on the nature and underpinning values of black economic empowerment.

Major partners will be asked directly what values inform their economic practice and how these values can help address issues of unemployment and economic powerlessness. The book will grapple with the notion that the economy is not just a matter of numbers but a moral and cultural process by which nations choose to live and distribute their resources, and would be a crucial step in policy formulation on BEE.