Repository logo

Masters Degrees (Economics)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6941

Browse

Browsing Masters Degrees (Economics) by SDG "SDG10"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Measuring the economic costs of trade protection in South Africa.
    (2025) Molapo, Rethabile.; Kohler , Marcel Rene Anton Robert.
    This dissertation investigates the economic cost of trade protection on South Africa's economy through a panel analysis from 2010 to 2022, focusing on South Africa’s trade with 127 partner countries. The Gravity model serves as the main estimation framework for the study as it provides a detailed observation of international trade. The Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimation approaches serve as the main methods used to measure the effectiveness of the gravity model in the study. Through comparisons between OLS and PPML the study observes the elasticities of the determinants of trade across the OLS and PPML and affirms the need to focus on the PPML which reveals more reliable estimates which are neither underestimated nor overestimated the study confirms that trade protection leads to less trade activity, it will result to a reduction in gains from exports which is important in influencing the economic growth of South Africa. The research includes an in-depth analysis of tariffs, both as a standalone measure and as a variable within the gravity model as the main form of protectionism in international trade. The study highlights the evolving role of tariffs in trade protection and concludes that tariffs may have been overstated as a standalone measure of trade protection in studies of international trade. The study shows that tariffs have a more significant influence on trade in the PPML model as opposed to the OLS and the study shows that the PPML explains a larger degree of the effects on trade flows than the OLS does. The findings in the study suggest that the PPML method should be used for South Africa’s gravity model simulations due to the reliable elasticities that the model returns.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The relationship between social capital and mental health in South Africa: a comparison by gender.
    (2024) Mancwatela , Azasiwe.; Vermaak , Claire Lauren.; Dobreva , Ralitza Vassileva.
    Social capital, which encompasses the strength of social networks, trust, and community ties, has received growing attention for its influence on mental well-being. Research shows that social capital plays a key role in promoting positive mental health and protecting against mental health challenges, particularly depression. This study examines the relationship between social capital and mental health in South Africa, with a particular focus on how gender may shape these dynamics. Globally, a wide range of studies have demonstrated that social capital can protect against depression and other mental health issues. In South Africa, however, the impact of social capital is particularly complex, shaped by the country’s history of colonialism, apartheid, and social fragmentation. Understanding how social capital influences mental health in this context is crucial for addressing mental health challenges in the country. Using longitudinal data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), which provides a detailed picture of South African society, this study explores the relationship between social capital and depression for African adults. Depression is measured using the CESD-10 score, which rates the extent of depression on a continuous scale, as well as a binary measure of depression. The study takes a gendered approach to examine how the relationship between social capital and mental health may differ for men and women, using statistical methods such as pooled OLS, fixed effects, and logit fixed effects models. The study finds that neighbourhood crime and violence are strongly linked to higher levels of depression for both genders, with men being more vulnerable to these environmental stressors. Neighbourhood attachment acts as a protective factor for women, reducing depression. The findings suggest that for men, religious and communal activities provide essential emotional support, while women may benefit from a wider range of social networks. Additionally, the quality of trust with neighbours plays a more significant role in men’s mental health.