Rational Standard

Rational Standard South Africa's oldest still standing classical liberal commentary publication.

The Rational Standard is a political commentary site providing reasonable and honest commentary with a freedom bias for South Africans. Submission details: https://rationalstandard.com/submit-an-article/

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19/12/2025

How race assumptions shape South Africa’s highest court

Martin van Staden unpacks how deeply embedded racial assumptions surfaced in the Insolvency Practitioners case, revealing how race based policy is openly justified at the highest judicial level.

Watch the full discussion: https://youtube.com/live/JQWrOLi814M?feature=share

No liberal organisation should compromise the integrity of a key pillar of liberalism in this manner.
17/12/2025

No liberal organisation should compromise the integrity of a key pillar of liberalism in this manner.

No liberal organisation should compromise the integrity of a key pillar of liberalism in this manner.

The focus must shift from restricting users to regulating the platforms. We do not ban cars because they are dangerous...
16/12/2025

The focus must shift from restricting users to regulating the platforms. We do not ban cars because they are dangerous; we mandate seatbelts, airbags, and speed limits.

The focus must shift from restricting users to regulating the platforms. We do not ban cars because they are dangerous; we mandate seatbelts, airbags, and speed limits.

African advocates are reshaping freedom and prosperity through homegrown initiatives that tackle barriers to rights, tra...
15/12/2025

African advocates are reshaping freedom and prosperity through homegrown initiatives that tackle barriers to rights, trade, and opportunity, with the support of Atlas Network.

African advocates are reshaping freedom and prosperity through homegrown initiatives that tackle barriers to rights, trade, and opportunity, with the support of Atlas Network.

Noa Marciano should have lived. A society with even a single courageous individual might have saved her. Instead, a doct...
12/12/2025

Noa Marciano should have lived. A society with even a single courageous individual might have saved her. Instead, a doctor ended her life and the global institutions looked the other way.

Noa Marciano should have lived. A society with even a single courageous individual might have saved her. Instead, a doctor ended her life and the global institutions looked the other way.

The solution to the rental crisis isn’t some heavy-handed policy that tears away the incentive to rent out property in...
11/12/2025

The solution to the rental crisis isn’t some heavy-handed policy that tears away the incentive to rent out property in the first place. The solution is basic economics.

The solution to the rental crisis isn’t some heavy-handed policy that tears away the incentive to rent out property in the first place. The solution is basic economics.

Clear the red tape that strangles development. Allow municipalities more autonomy to zone land flexibly such as upzone...
10/12/2025

Clear the red tape that strangles development. Allow municipalities more autonomy to zone land flexibly such as upzone near jobs, permit small developers or co-ops to build.

Clear the red tape that strangles development. Allow municipalities more autonomy to zone land flexibly such as upzone near jobs, permit small developers or co-ops to build.

09/12/2025

Why do so many young men turn to gangsterism?

Ayanda Zulu discusses how unstable families, absent fathers, and a lack of positive male role models push young men toward gangs as a substitute for guidance and belonging.

Watch the full discussion: https://www.youtube.com/live/STaaBdQZtMY?si=tLNVtRpyei0hZLjj

In an age overflowing with possibility, poverty becomes less a condition and more a refusal.
09/12/2025

In an age overflowing with possibility, poverty becomes less a condition and more a refusal.

In an age overflowing with possibility, poverty becomes less a condition and more a refusal.

Economic freedom drives economic growth. And it is economic growth – not populism – that will help reduce unemployment...
08/12/2025

Economic freedom drives economic growth. And it is economic growth – not populism – that will help reduce unemployment and gradually begin to turn things around.

Economic freedom drives economic growth. And it is economic growth – not populism – that will help reduce unemployment and gradually begin to turn things around.

🎙️The US is calling out BEE… and they’re not wrongJoin David Ansara, Martin van Staden and Nicholas Woode-Smith as they ...
05/12/2025

🎙️The US is calling out BEE… and they’re not wrong

Join David Ansara, Martin van Staden and Nicholas Woode-Smith as they dive into some of the most pressing issues of the week.

In this episode we discuss why the United States is shutting South Africa out of the G20. We look at the political tensions, economic concerns and global power plays driving the decision, and what this could mean for South Africa’s future on the world stage.

LINK: https://youtube.com/live/JQWrOLi814M

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The Rational Standard

The Rational Standard is Africa’s largest classical liberal leaning website. We are committed to providing intelligent and honest political commentary with an open and honest bias towards the values of freedom, prosperity and rational discourse.

We were founded in 2016 in response to the rising tide of irrational beliefs on South African and international campuses, and have grown to become a valuable critic of authoritarianism and evil ideology everywhere.

The Rational Standard has been lauded by many for its quality analysis, uncompromising steadfastness and for being a light in a growing sea of serfdom. This becomes even more impressive when it is realised that the Rational Standard is run completely by volunteers and generous donors.