Martin Wolf is associate editor and chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, and one of the world’s most respected voices on economics, finance and political economy. He has published several influential books on democracy, markets and the economy, with his most recent work, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism published in 2023.

He was in conversation with Ann Bernstein, CDE’s executive director – his second interview in our Conversations series. The focus of the discussion was on the crisis of the post-war liberal order and its implications for democracy and prosperity.

For 30 years, CDE has influenced policy in South Africa’s democracy. We have established ourselves as a unique policy think tank and prominent public ‘voice’ promoting enterprise and development in South Africa and emerging markets. We have built a wide network throughout the country and with leading global experts and think tanks, especially in democratic developing countries.

CDE’s flagship project, AGENDA 2024: Priorities for South Africa’s new government, based on extensive policy work and collaboration with experts, business leaders, former public servants and academics, sets out to answer what is by far the most important question facing South Africa: What can a new government do to get the country back on track after 15 years of stagnation and decline? See related media statements here, the op-eds here and the reports in the ACTION series, here.