Johan Fourie
@johanfourieza.bsky.social
Chair of Economics, History and Policy at Stellenbosch University. Author of Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom. Blogger at www.ourlongwalk.com.
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Johan Fourie
@johanfourieza.bsky.social
· Nov 28
What can policymakers learn from economic history?
With Leonard Wantchekon, Dave Donaldson, Bronwen Everill, Mushfiq Mobarak, Chris Colvin, Jonas Hjort, @tedmiguel.bsky.social, and 2024 Nobel Laureate James Robinson.
With Leonard Wantchekon, Dave Donaldson, Bronwen Everill, Mushfiq Mobarak, Chris Colvin, Jonas Hjort, @tedmiguel.bsky.social, and 2024 Nobel Laureate James Robinson.
In 'Money', David McWilliams explores ‘humanity’s greatest invention’. Yet this 'story of humanity' is a decidedly European one, I find. My review of 'Money', out today:
Small change
A review of 'Money' by David McWilliams
www.ourlongwalk.com
July 25, 2025 at 9:03 AM
In 'Money', David McWilliams explores ‘humanity’s greatest invention’. Yet this 'story of humanity' is a decidedly European one, I find. My review of 'Money', out today:
My research unit at Stellenbosch is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. In today's post, I reflected, using two new studies, on the progress we've made in promoting the study of African economic history.
Happy tenth birthday, LEAP!
Two new research papers show how economic history at Stellenbosch punches above its weight
www.ourlongwalk.com
July 18, 2025 at 12:29 PM
My research unit at Stellenbosch is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. In today's post, I reflected, using two new studies, on the progress we've made in promoting the study of African economic history.
The ICC Test Championship final was a game for the ages. Sometimes, by simply turning up again and again, the impossible becomes possible.
It's not just cricket
Reflections on South Africa winning the World Test Championship at Lord's
www.ourlongwalk.com
June 20, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The ICC Test Championship final was a game for the ages. Sometimes, by simply turning up again and again, the impossible becomes possible.
Reposted by Johan Fourie
@johanfourieza.bsky.social closes out our second session as he explores new incentives for enslaved runaways in South Africa in the 1830s.
#econsky #econhistory
#econsky #econhistory
June 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
@johanfourieza.bsky.social closes out our second session as he explores new incentives for enslaved runaways in South Africa in the 1830s.
#econsky #econhistory
#econsky #econhistory
And we have a winner of the inaugural Our Long Walk Essay Competition!
It was this graph that got me hooked on the winning essay...
It was this graph that got me hooked on the winning essay...
June 13, 2025 at 8:58 AM
And we have a winner of the inaugural Our Long Walk Essay Competition!
It was this graph that got me hooked on the winning essay...
It was this graph that got me hooked on the winning essay...
If I had to build a new university, this is what it would look like:
Blueprint for a new university
Will anyone invest in my start-up idea?
www.ourlongwalk.com
June 6, 2025 at 9:04 AM
If I had to build a new university, this is what it would look like:
One Washington Post reader thinks my blog is worth reading!
Opinion | I’m an Afrikaner. Trump’s resettled South Africans don’t represent me.
South Africa is much more complicated than Americans of both political parties think.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 3, 2025 at 3:32 AM
One Washington Post reader thinks my blog is worth reading!
@tylercowen.bsky.social says university students know, on average, more about LLMs than do their professors.
I agree, but it will take a monumental effort for slow university systems to adapt to the AI revolution.
Here I propose three steps to start:
I agree, but it will take a monumental effort for slow university systems to adapt to the AI revolution.
Here I propose three steps to start:
AI ate my homework
What should we do about it?
www.ourlongwalk.com
June 3, 2025 at 3:17 AM
@tylercowen.bsky.social says university students know, on average, more about LLMs than do their professors.
I agree, but it will take a monumental effort for slow university systems to adapt to the AI revolution.
Here I propose three steps to start:
I agree, but it will take a monumental effort for slow university systems to adapt to the AI revolution.
Here I propose three steps to start:
Adam Smith’s division of labour applies as much to universities as it does to factories.
My first of a three-part series on the future of the university ($).
My first of a three-part series on the future of the university ($).
Everything is social impact
But should it be?
www.ourlongwalk.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Adam Smith’s division of labour applies as much to universities as it does to factories.
My first of a three-part series on the future of the university ($).
My first of a three-part series on the future of the university ($).
Fantastic news!
Have come to terms with the fact that I don't really understand or remember much until I write it out & work through it.
So I'm going to blog. Primarily for myself. Would love it to be a little useful for others. Many thanks to @johanfourieza.bsky.social, whose conference on this was inspiring
So I'm going to blog. Primarily for myself. Would love it to be a little useful for others. Many thanks to @johanfourieza.bsky.social, whose conference on this was inspiring
May 19, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Fantastic news!
@katemossewriter.bsky.social Kate Mosse's Joubert Family Chronicles conclude in Franschhoek, where she'll be speaking next weekend.
In this post, I traced the real life outcomes of some her historical characters in the eighteenth-century Cape Colony:
In this post, I traced the real life outcomes of some her historical characters in the eighteenth-century Cape Colony:
The Huguenot refugee
Kate Mosse, Pierre Joubert and their long walk to Franschhoek
www.ourlongwalk.com
May 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
@katemossewriter.bsky.social Kate Mosse's Joubert Family Chronicles conclude in Franschhoek, where she'll be speaking next weekend.
In this post, I traced the real life outcomes of some her historical characters in the eighteenth-century Cape Colony:
In this post, I traced the real life outcomes of some her historical characters in the eighteenth-century Cape Colony:
Reposted by Johan Fourie
Really delighted to have arrived in Stellenbosch for this workshop on disseminating Economic History. Organized by @johanfourieza.bsky.social with keynote from @delong.social
May 5, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Really delighted to have arrived in Stellenbosch for this workshop on disseminating Economic History. Organized by @johanfourieza.bsky.social with keynote from @delong.social
What do Jacob Zuma and Donald Trump have in common? This essay maps two different threats to modern states – one captured, one feudal – and why the distinction matters.
Feudal America
What South Africa’s experience with state capture reveals – and does not reveal – about America today
www.ourlongwalk.com
May 2, 2025 at 8:10 AM
What do Jacob Zuma and Donald Trump have in common? This essay maps two different threats to modern states – one captured, one feudal – and why the distinction matters.
Reminder: today is the submission deadline for the Our Long Walk Essay Competition!
Write what you like
The Our Long Walk Essay Competition
www.ourlongwalk.com
May 2, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Reminder: today is the submission deadline for the Our Long Walk Essay Competition!
To celebrate 31 years of political freedom in South Africa, I curated a ChatGPT-written short story:
The elephant
An AI-written short story to commemorate Freedom Day
www.ourlongwalk.com
April 28, 2025 at 8:53 AM
To celebrate 31 years of political freedom in South Africa, I curated a ChatGPT-written short story:
If we as South Africans are serious about racial transformation, let’s not waste another decade. Let’s invest in understanding exactly what enables (black) entrepreneurial success.
To test transformation
My submission on South Africa's Draft Transformation Fund Concept Document
www.ourlongwalk.com
April 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
If we as South Africans are serious about racial transformation, let’s not waste another decade. Let’s invest in understanding exactly what enables (black) entrepreneurial success.
How can a 19th-century Cape Colony coffee boom help to explain the hidden consequences of Trump’s new tariff war?
Déjà brew
How a 19th-century Cape coffee boom reveals the hidden consequences of Trump’s new tariff war
www.ourlongwalk.com
April 11, 2025 at 10:38 AM
How can a 19th-century Cape Colony coffee boom help to explain the hidden consequences of Trump’s new tariff war?
Economic History of Developing Regions needs a new editor!
April 7, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Economic History of Developing Regions needs a new editor!
Eight months ago, South Africa’s trade delegation returned from Washington with smiles and soundbites. This week, the mood changed.
In my latest post, I examine the economic justification for these tariffs, what they reveal about US politics, and how South Africa should respond.
In my latest post, I examine the economic justification for these tariffs, what they reveal about US politics, and how South Africa should respond.
An autumn of autarky
The Trump tariffs and how South Africa should respond to it
www.ourlongwalk.com
April 4, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Eight months ago, South Africa’s trade delegation returned from Washington with smiles and soundbites. This week, the mood changed.
In my latest post, I examine the economic justification for these tariffs, what they reveal about US politics, and how South Africa should respond.
In my latest post, I examine the economic justification for these tariffs, what they reveal about US politics, and how South Africa should respond.
If you're a (South) African student, what do you need to know about doing an Economics PhD in the US or Europe? My advice.
(To the economists on BlueSky based in the US or Europe, please add ideas or suggestions in the comments on the blog! Your inputs are much appreciated.)
(To the economists on BlueSky based in the US or Europe, please add ideas or suggestions in the comments on the blog! Your inputs are much appreciated.)
PhD talk
Why, where and how to do a PhD in Economics
www.ourlongwalk.com
March 29, 2025 at 3:04 AM
If you're a (South) African student, what do you need to know about doing an Economics PhD in the US or Europe? My advice.
(To the economists on BlueSky based in the US or Europe, please add ideas or suggestions in the comments on the blog! Your inputs are much appreciated.)
(To the economists on BlueSky based in the US or Europe, please add ideas or suggestions in the comments on the blog! Your inputs are much appreciated.)
Will AI lead to a proliferation of superficial publications that all compete in a race to the bottom and, most importantly, do little to advance knowledge or contribute to building a better society?
Science, outsourced
How AI will make South Africa's science funding model obsolete
www.ourlongwalk.com
March 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Will AI lead to a proliferation of superficial publications that all compete in a race to the bottom and, most importantly, do little to advance knowledge or contribute to building a better society?
Reposted by Johan Fourie
And another with @johanfourieza.bsky.social and Jonathan Schoots about culture and economics: bsky.app/profile/joha...
(2/2)
(2/2)
How should economists think about culture?
In episode 7 of the Our Long Walk podcast, Jonathan and I interview @nathannunn.bsky.social about why culture matters, zero versus positive-sum thinking (in the US elections), and why economists should study Africa…
In episode 7 of the Our Long Walk podcast, Jonathan and I interview @nathannunn.bsky.social about why culture matters, zero versus positive-sum thinking (in the US elections), and why economists should study Africa…
Can herding shape our morals?
EPISODE 7: Jonathan and I speak to Nathan Nunn on why culture still matters, zero versus positive-sum thinking (in the US elections), and why economists should study Africa
www.ourlongwalk.com
March 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
And another with @johanfourieza.bsky.social and Jonathan Schoots about culture and economics: bsky.app/profile/joha...
(2/2)
(2/2)
And just like that, the first essay submission just arrived in my mailbox, a week after announcing the Our Long Walk Essay Competition!
If you know any African students 25 years or younger who is interested in the past, present and future of this wonderful continent, then please forward them this:
If you know any African students 25 years or younger who is interested in the past, present and future of this wonderful continent, then please forward them this:
Write what you like
The Our Long Walk Essay Competition
www.ourlongwalk.com
March 14, 2025 at 3:36 AM
And just like that, the first essay submission just arrived in my mailbox, a week after announcing the Our Long Walk Essay Competition!
If you know any African students 25 years or younger who is interested in the past, present and future of this wonderful continent, then please forward them this:
If you know any African students 25 years or younger who is interested in the past, present and future of this wonderful continent, then please forward them this:
When the rules are changing, will Africa rewrite them or let others decide its fate?
My take on Africa and the new world order:
My take on Africa and the new world order:
Africa and the new world order
When the rules are changing, will Africa rewrite them or let others decide its fate?
www.ourlongwalk.com
March 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
When the rules are changing, will Africa rewrite them or let others decide its fate?
My take on Africa and the new world order:
My take on Africa and the new world order:
The Our Long Walk Essay Competition just launched.
Any African 25 or younger can apply.
The prize money of $500 is not massive. But it is a start. (I'm funding it myself.) And you get your ideas published on the blog.
Theme: 'Progress and Innovation in Africa's Past'.
Please spread the message!
Any African 25 or younger can apply.
The prize money of $500 is not massive. But it is a start. (I'm funding it myself.) And you get your ideas published on the blog.
Theme: 'Progress and Innovation in Africa's Past'.
Please spread the message!
Write what you like
The Our Long Walk Essay Competition
www.ourlongwalk.com
March 10, 2025 at 3:44 AM
The Our Long Walk Essay Competition just launched.
Any African 25 or younger can apply.
The prize money of $500 is not massive. But it is a start. (I'm funding it myself.) And you get your ideas published on the blog.
Theme: 'Progress and Innovation in Africa's Past'.
Please spread the message!
Any African 25 or younger can apply.
The prize money of $500 is not massive. But it is a start. (I'm funding it myself.) And you get your ideas published on the blog.
Theme: 'Progress and Innovation in Africa's Past'.
Please spread the message!