Jason F. Bell
@jasonfbell.bsky.social
Husband • Father • Plant-Based • Researcher at Gauteng City-Region Observatory • Interested in History, Philosophy, Political Economy, and Geography • Currently studying Urban-Industrial Development Nexuses for PhD
Substack: @jasonfbell
Substack: @jasonfbell
If nothing else, Jim Ratcliffe's comments should yet again be another reason why we should stop mythologising the monetarily wealthy.
February 13, 2026 at 10:37 AM
If nothing else, Jim Ratcliffe's comments should yet again be another reason why we should stop mythologising the monetarily wealthy.
The core problem with people of extreme wealth is that they believe they have, because we give them, a platform where their opinions are validated and grounded in evidence and logic.
Very rarely is that the case as Jim Ratcliffe has proven.
Very rarely is that the case as Jim Ratcliffe has proven.
February 12, 2026 at 6:48 PM
The core problem with people of extreme wealth is that they believe they have, because we give them, a platform where their opinions are validated and grounded in evidence and logic.
Very rarely is that the case as Jim Ratcliffe has proven.
Very rarely is that the case as Jim Ratcliffe has proven.
When engaging in discourse about economic policy, nuance should always take preference
substack.com/@jasonfbell/...
substack.com/@jasonfbell/...
When engaging in discourse about economic policy, nuance should always take preference
I respond here to a letter demonising Brian Ashley’s (henceforth, Brian) thoughtful piece on how to think about and maybe correct some of the long-standing, structural issues plaguing South Africa (“S...
substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:45 AM
When engaging in discourse about economic policy, nuance should always take preference
substack.com/@jasonfbell/...
substack.com/@jasonfbell/...
Football is a global game where the non-sponsor profits of this club are probably extracted from people who would be considered immigrants in his eyes.
February 12, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Football is a global game where the non-sponsor profits of this club are probably extracted from people who would be considered immigrants in his eyes.
Relistening to Mark Carney's Davos speech about the new political settlement that has to take shape in the wake of Trumpism and I think: can a collective of "middle powers" actually overturn the established order of great powers. Or do we just align with the next great one to make them great.
February 12, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Relistening to Mark Carney's Davos speech about the new political settlement that has to take shape in the wake of Trumpism and I think: can a collective of "middle powers" actually overturn the established order of great powers. Or do we just align with the next great one to make them great.
Variegated development is a very lively field of inquiry at the moment.
This piece struck the right cords with me and my current research interests.
www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
This piece struck the right cords with me and my current research interests.
www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
Beyond Agglomeration. Towards A Rethinking of Industrial Strategy? - RSA Main
In recent years, industrial strategy has returned to the centre of political and economic debate. Governments across advanced economies are once again asking how they can shape growth, support innovat...
www.regionalstudies.org
January 20, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Variegated development is a very lively field of inquiry at the moment.
This piece struck the right cords with me and my current research interests.
www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
This piece struck the right cords with me and my current research interests.
www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
We are excited to embark on this multidimensional and transdisciplinary edited volume that zooms in on the Vaal Triangle, focusing on historical, contemporary, and future themes in the region's social, economic, and environmental development.
More information in the link: lnkd.in/d3gsyQE6
More information in the link: lnkd.in/d3gsyQE6
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
January 14, 2026 at 8:33 AM
We are excited to embark on this multidimensional and transdisciplinary edited volume that zooms in on the Vaal Triangle, focusing on historical, contemporary, and future themes in the region's social, economic, and environmental development.
More information in the link: lnkd.in/d3gsyQE6
More information in the link: lnkd.in/d3gsyQE6
Reading is good. Quality reading is better. But you have to start somewhere to begin learning the difference.
Some think that the internet is making us illiterate. Others argue that it can help improve reading culture. www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...
If You Quit Social Media, Will You Read More Books?
Books are inefficient, and the internet is training us to expect optimized experiences.
www.newyorker.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Reading is good. Quality reading is better. But you have to start somewhere to begin learning the difference.
"At its core, B-BBEE aims to change who owns, controls and benefits from the economy, not to reward the connected." | www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/...
Why the DA’s proposed race-neutral Public Procurement Amendment Bill misses the point | Daily Maverick
The DA’s Bill misreads our Constitution and our social reality, and should also be seen in the context of the transnational backlash against race-conscious measures that aim to redress the legacy of w...
www.dailymaverick.co.za
December 10, 2025 at 6:15 AM
"At its core, B-BBEE aims to change who owns, controls and benefits from the economy, not to reward the connected." | www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/...
Reposted by Jason F. Bell
🗣️ What does the future hold for small farms in Africa?
🌍 In the latest #DevelopmentDialogues with @voxdev.bsky.social, experts dissect one of Africa’s most persistent development challenges: the low productivity of small farms.
🔊 Listen to the full episode now: egc.yale.edu/news/250618/...
🌍 In the latest #DevelopmentDialogues with @voxdev.bsky.social, experts dissect one of Africa’s most persistent development challenges: the low productivity of small farms.
🔊 Listen to the full episode now: egc.yale.edu/news/250618/...
Development Dialogues: What does the future hold for small farms in Africa?
Gérardine Mukeshimana, Mark Rosenzweig, and Christopher Udry dissect one of Africa’s most persistent development challenges: the low productivity of small farms. Despite decades of investment, innovation, and policy reform, yields on African small farms remain significantly below those in high-income countries—even when similar technologies are used.
egc.yale.edu
July 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
🗣️ What does the future hold for small farms in Africa?
🌍 In the latest #DevelopmentDialogues with @voxdev.bsky.social, experts dissect one of Africa’s most persistent development challenges: the low productivity of small farms.
🔊 Listen to the full episode now: egc.yale.edu/news/250618/...
🌍 In the latest #DevelopmentDialogues with @voxdev.bsky.social, experts dissect one of Africa’s most persistent development challenges: the low productivity of small farms.
🔊 Listen to the full episode now: egc.yale.edu/news/250618/...
Reposted by Jason F. Bell
For decades, many leftists dropped talk of economic planning due to its association with Soviet bureaucracy.
But both the climate crisis and the reality of massive state intervention in capitalist economies have made democratic planning inescapable.
But both the climate crisis and the reality of massive state intervention in capitalist economies have made democratic planning inescapable.
Economic Planning Shouldn’t Be a Swear Word
For decades, many leftists dropped talk of economic planning due to its association with Soviet bureaucracy. But both the climate crisis and the reality of massive state intervention in capitalist eco...
jacobin.com
July 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
For decades, many leftists dropped talk of economic planning due to its association with Soviet bureaucracy.
But both the climate crisis and the reality of massive state intervention in capitalist economies have made democratic planning inescapable.
But both the climate crisis and the reality of massive state intervention in capitalist economies have made democratic planning inescapable.
What is this “American” fish saying in response to Trump’s latest unfounded claim?
July 9, 2025 at 2:57 PM
What is this “American” fish saying in response to Trump’s latest unfounded claim?
Okay, then refund gamers at market rates when a game has reached the end of its “lifecycle” (i.e. not profitable) | "It Will Have A Chilling Effect On Game Design" - EU Group Responds To 'Stop Killing Games'
www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07...
www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07...
"It Will Have A Chilling Effect On Game Design" - EU Group Responds To 'Stop Killing Games'
Lobbying group includes Nintendo, Sega, and more in its membership
www.nintendolife.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Okay, then refund gamers at market rates when a game has reached the end of its “lifecycle” (i.e. not profitable) | "It Will Have A Chilling Effect On Game Design" - EU Group Responds To 'Stop Killing Games'
www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07...
www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07...
Energised by Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York democratic primary, I have begun digging into these issues in South Africa.
Some readings to follow, but I worry that South Africa's "Left" is non-existent at the moment.
Some readings to follow, but I worry that South Africa's "Left" is non-existent at the moment.
July 7, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Energised by Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York democratic primary, I have begun digging into these issues in South Africa.
Some readings to follow, but I worry that South Africa's "Left" is non-existent at the moment.
Some readings to follow, but I worry that South Africa's "Left" is non-existent at the moment.
I guess the biggest problem is that like with most things—for example carbon footprints, recycling etc—the onus in the media and other public forums is often pushed to the individual | You’ve been sold a giant myth when it comes to improving your health
www.newscientist.com/article/2485...
www.newscientist.com/article/2485...
You’ve been sold a giant myth when it comes to improving your health
Diet and exercise will only get you so far, but there is a magic bullet that could make us all live longer, says professor of global public health Devi Sridhar
www.newscientist.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:21 AM
I guess the biggest problem is that like with most things—for example carbon footprints, recycling etc—the onus in the media and other public forums is often pushed to the individual | You’ve been sold a giant myth when it comes to improving your health
www.newscientist.com/article/2485...
www.newscientist.com/article/2485...
Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’
When the extent of the university’s involvement with slavery was unearthed, a scholar tracking descendants of enslaved workers was suddenly fired
www.theguardian.com
June 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
The sad thing about the state of American capitalism is that everything can be commodified—even the presidency.
June 19, 2025 at 6:19 AM
The sad thing about the state of American capitalism is that everything can be commodified—even the presidency.