Our Long Walk To Economic Freedom

by Johan Fourie

Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom is an entertaining and engaging guide to global economic history told for the first time from an African perspective. In thirty-five short chapters Johan Fourie tells the story of 100,000 years of human history spanning humankind's migration out of Africa to the Covid-19 pandemic. His unique account reveals just how much we can learn by asking unexpected questions such as 'How could a movie embarrass Stalin?', 'Why do the Japanese play rugby?' and 'What do an Indonesian volcano, Frankenstein and Shaka Zulu have in common?'. The book sheds new light on urgent debates about the roots and reasons for prosperity, the march of opportunity versus the crushing boot of exploitation, and why it is the builders of society – rather than the burglars –who ultimately win out.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, History

233 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2021

About the author

Johan Fourie is professor of economics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He is the author of more than 60 peer-reviewed academic articles and, most recently, 'Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom', an entertaining and accessible introduction to global economic history from an African perspective. His greatest wish is to be cited in a Nobel speech, preferably by one of his students.

Reviews

[Bianca Oortwijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, how refreshing it is to read a(n economical) history book written from a non-European perspective!

By approaching situations from different angles (e.g., geographical, biological, and economical), I gained many new insights on anthropological and economic differences, leading from one aha-erlebnis to the next. Fourie really knows how to make economic history an exciting topic. All you need is a great storyteller...

Great book to extend your general knowledge and ways of questioning!

N.B. Cambridge also published an edition of this book in 2022, from which there are many currently in stock at Atheneum boekhandel Amsterdam.

📚 Both editions can also be borrowed at our library in Amsterdam.

In January/February of 2023, our historical reading circle will gather around this book.
👉🏽 More info: www.zuidafrikahuis.nl

[Topi · Rating 4 out of 5]

worth a read

[Patrick Rimbault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johan Fourie has has done a 'John McPhee' with Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom. He has taken a topic which, for the layman, is esoteric and dull and has managed to turn it into a compelling and highly engaging read for anyone interested in the topic of economic history (with a focus on South Africa). The book is not without a comprehensive stack of graphs and endnotes - as any well researched non-fiction book should have. However, the details and technicalities of economic history do not overwhelm the reader, rather gives one the assurance that the summary read is indeed based on fact and not opinion or otherwise. Thank you Johan, this one's a keeper!

[Ed Stoddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and readable romp through economic history from Johan Fourie which sets Africa's past firmly in a wide global context. Each chapter offers an insightful snapshot of the past, under (a colleague of mind remarked) "click-bait" titles such as "Why was a giraffe the perfect gift for the Chinese emperor? The Indian Ocean Trade and European imperialism." An overarching theme is the role of property rights in the history of the global economy. Fourie, a Professor of Economic History at Stellenbosch University, has written a book that serves as an excellent introduction to economic history for undergraduate students. But even a crusty old reader with a history MA like myself can read it profitably. Stay tuned for a more comprehensive review in the Daily Maverick and an upcoming webinar discussion which I will have with the author on Tuesday, 25 May.

[Yoni Bass · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every person and their dog was telling me to read this and I unfortunately listened to them. The book tries to connect random historical events to the modern world as a device to explain the political economy of the world today. This is almost always unconvincing, with the two events almost always either being tangentially or not actually connected. As an example, “What do Charlemagne and King Goodwill Zwelithini have in common”, Fourie asks. Apparently they both presided over feudal systems. Putting aside whether they are truly equitable - ya probably not - there is nothing unique about Charlemagne and Zwelithini’s connection. Any number of monarchs could be used, perhaps there are better monarchs to compare. Fourie probably doesn’t care about this, choosing these two it seems purely because they seem so disconnected (because they are) as opposed to truly connected. The economic views he bases his analysis on - the Washington Consensus is good and other neo-liberal drek, as an eg - is also truly dubious but I couldn’t really even take this seriously, as I was distracted by all the attempted random dot connecting.

[Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johan Fourie is one of the foremost economic historians in Africa, and this book makes his extensive knowledge accessible to everyone. Take a journey through the lens of Economics through the history of the world, focussing on Africa and South Africa.

[Nathanmotj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended

Full of fascinating stats to support his arguments. It is said, if you don’t learn from your past, you likely to repeat. It’s clear there are past that countries need to repeat. This book delves into which lessons to and not t repeat.

[Tobi Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read this as a sort of grand narrative of history (despite what the title suggests), the you are doing it wrong. This is simply a very good and accesible introduction to economic history, and Johan Fourie is a brilliant writer storyteller.

[Kieran Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Data-backed insights from all over the world and for hundreds of years. Very much enjoyed.

[Ernst Dill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Very rich with information and give great context and understanding of factors that shaped the evolution of South Africa.

[Giuliepie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy and fun to read. I would recommend!