Paradise or parking lots? A comparison between the attitudes of the South African business elite and the rest of the elite on selected environmental issues

ABSTRACT Corporate South Africa was characterised in the past by a technocratic ideology, namely, that technology and scientific know‐how will offer solutions to any environmental problems which might arise. This “marketplace” mentality often brought it into conflict with the environmental movement. This research article examines the new awareness of the South African business elite toward selected environmental issues and compares this to the attitudes of the rest of the South African elite. Although the environment was largely overshadowed by the constitutional negotiations it will continue to remain the crucial issue of this decade as the degradation of the environment is an indication of both poverty and wealth. Environmental questions fall within the sphere of the influence and power which important decision‐makers exercise. An investigation into the views of the South African business elite and opinion‐leaders on these issues can also give us an idea of their priorities on development.