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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A society that respects rights cannot tolerate those who deny them to others.
06/08/2025

A society that respects rights cannot tolerate those who deny them to others.

A society that respects rights cannot tolerate those who deny them to others.

South Africans have been subjected to the rationale of state interventionism for decades, if not centuries.
05/08/2025

South Africans have been subjected to the rationale of state interventionism for decades, if not centuries.

South Africans have been subjected to the rationale of state interventionism for decades, if not centuries.

For the humans this is an existential matter: Can we overcome centuries of failed governance systems to achieve a singl...
04/08/2025

For the humans this is an existential matter: Can we overcome centuries of failed governance systems to achieve a single successful and enduring one?

For the humans this is an existential matter: Can we overcome centuries of failed governance systems to achieve a single successful and enduring one?

01/08/2025

🎙️ Tariffs hit as GNU fumbles, meanwhile Joburg residents oppose privatisation lifeline

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

In this week’s episode, we discuss the impact of US tariff hikes as the GNU flounders, and why Joburg residents are resisting a privatisation plan that could fix failing services.

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New episodes released weekly!

Learn more about Rational Standard: https://rationalstandard.com/

We must come to terms with the fact that our country's crisis of violent crime is a symptom of deeper institutional dysf...
01/08/2025

We must come to terms with the fact that our country's crisis of violent crime is a symptom of deeper institutional dysfunction.

We must come to terms with the fact that our country's crisis of violent crime is a symptom of deeper institutional dysfunction.

What the AfDB Loan Could Mean for South Africa
31/07/2025

What the AfDB Loan Could Mean for South Africa

What the AfDB Loan Could Mean for South Africa

South Africa’s electricity crisis is not just about corruption or incompetence. It is about the fundamental failure of ...
30/07/2025

South Africa’s electricity crisis is not just about corruption or incompetence. It is about the fundamental failure of central planning.

South Africa’s electricity crisis is not just about corruption or incompetence. It is about the fundamental failure of central planning.

BEE has not been hijacked — it was designed for elite enrichment from the start.
29/07/2025

BEE has not been hijacked — it was designed for elite enrichment from the start.

BEE has not been hijacked — it was designed for elite enrichment from the start.

South Africa must reclaim the moral meaning of business before it is lost to corruption.
28/07/2025

South Africa must reclaim the moral meaning of business before it is lost to corruption.

South Africa must reclaim the moral meaning of business before it is lost to corruption

When outrage depends on who the victims are, human rights lose all meaning.
26/07/2025

When outrage depends on who the victims are, human rights lose all meaning.

When outrage depends on who the victims are, human rights lose all meaning.

There is something grotesquely ironic about privileged activists in South Africa staging a hunger strike in solidarity ...
25/07/2025

There is something grotesquely ironic about privileged activists in South Africa staging a hunger strike in solidarity with Hamas-run Gaza, while sitting comfortably in suburban cafés, planning their next "resistance" tweet over a latte.

If Jo Bluen wants to protest something, she could start by looking at the abhorrence her own country has become, where crime, corruption, and collapse have replaced basic governance and moral clarity.

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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.