A podcast series about South Africa’s past, present, and future. Economic historian Johan Fourie and historical sociologist Jonathan Schoots interview social sc...
How should we understand the era before Africa’s colonisation? Was it a period of stagnation or one of profound innovation and change? Why has the ‘Scramble for Africa’ dominated historical narratives, often overshadowing Africa’s own dynamic histories? Can warfare be understood not only as destructive but also as a creative and even culturally significant force?In this episode of the Our Long Walk podcast, Jonathan Schoots and Johan Fourie explore these critical questions with Richard Reid, Professor of African History at Oxford University and author of the recently published book, The African Revolution: A History of the Long Nineteenth Century.Some of Richard’s mentioned work:Inaugural SOAS lecture Warfare in African History This podcast is produced with the help of Voice Note Productions. Our producer is Vasti Calitz with editing done by Andri Burnett. Kelsey Lemon provided helpful research assistance. For more information about the episode and to subscribe to Johan’s newsletter, visit ourlongwalk.com.
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48:20
What if borders were never meant to last? with economist Elias Papaioannou
What determines opportunity in Africa? Does religion shape upward mobility? How do artificial borders, landmines, and weak states constrain economic development? And why has Africa largely resisted the global rise of populism?In this episode of the Our Long Walk podcast, Jonathan Schoots and I sit down with Elias Papaioannou, academic director of the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development and professor of economics at the London Business School. Elias is a leading researcher in international finance, political economy and economic history – especially of Africa. His work blends rich historical datasets with cutting-edge econometrics to reveal how institutions, geography, and social structures shape long-run development.Some of Elias’s mentioned work:Religion and educational mobility in AfricaThe political economy of populismThe long-run effects of the scramble for AfricaLandmines and spatial developmentThis podcast is produced with the help of Voice Note Productions. Our producer is Vasti Calitz with editing done by Andri Burnett. Kelsey Lemon provided helpful research assistance. For more information about the episode and to subscribe to Johan’s newsletter, visit ourlongwalk.com.
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55:28
Why did we stop roaming? with economist Ola Olsson
How far back should economic history go? Most textbooks start with agriculture, trade, and the emergence of states. But what if we looked further – beyond written records, beyond cities, beyond even the first farms? What if the deepest economic lessons come not from the past few thousand years, but from the hundreds of thousands before them? For most of history, when things got bad, people ran. But with farming came rulers, taxation, and the first states – and suddenly, leaving wasn’t so easy. As Ola Olsson puts it, understanding why we stopped roaming is key to making sense of the world today.In this episode of the Our Long Walk podcast, Johan Fourie and Jonathan Schoots interview Ola Olsson, professor of economics at the University of Gothenburg and author of Paleoeconomics: Climate Change and Economic Development in Prehistory. Ola’s mentioned work:Floods, droughts, and environmental circumscription in early state development: the case of ancient EgyptFiscal capacity in “post”-conflict states: Evidence from trade on Congo river This podcast is produced with the help of Voice Note Productions. Our producer is Vasti Calitz with editing done by Andri Burnett. Kelsey Lemon provided helpful research assistance. For more information about the episode and to subscribe to Johan’s newsletter, visit ourlongwalk.com. The full playlist of all Our Long Walk podcast songs is available here.
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50:22
Can herding shape morals? with economist Nathan Nunn
What shapes the decisions we make each day, from the seemingly trivial to the transformative? Why do trust, honour or zero-sum thinking persist in some societies but not others? How does a legacy of past events influence not just institutions but the very beliefs we carry and pass on? These questions form the heart of cultural economics, a field that reminds us why culture – often dismissed as too abstract – is central to understanding the world.
In this episode of Our Long Walk, Johan Fourie and Jonathan Schoots interview Nathan Nunn, professor at the Vancouver School of Economics and a leading thinker on cultural economics and economic history.
Nathan's mentioned work:
Transhumant Pastoralism, Climate Change, and Conflict in Africa
Zero-Sum Thinking and the Roots of U.S. Political Divides
The Slave Trade and the Origins of Mistrust in Africa
The Long-term Effects of Africa's Slave Trades
This podcast is produced with the help of Voice Note Productions. Our producer is Vasti Calitz with editing done by Andri Burnett. Kelsey Lemon provided helpful research assistance.
For more information about the episode and to subscribe to Johan’s newsletter, visit ourlongwalk.com.
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50:58
How to build an African city? with sociologist Benjamin Bradlow
What makes a city thrive in the Global South? Why do some cities build stronger connections between their citizens, social movements, and governments while others remain fragmented? Can the lessons from São Paulo help
South Africa’s struggling urban centres? And what can a sociologist teach us about the future of African cities as urbanization accelerates?
In this episode of Our Long Walk, Johan Fourie and Jonathan Schoots speak with Benjamin Bradlow, assistant professor of sociology and international affairs at Princeton University. Ben’s work explores the complex relationships between
urban governance, inequality, and democracy, with a comparative focus on São Paulo and Johannesburg. His latest book, Urban Power: Democracy and Inequality in São Paulo and Johannesburg, offers a powerful lens on how cities can transform – or fail to.
You can find the Suno-generated song inspired by Benjamin's work here, as well as the playlist of the songs featured on other episodes. Subscribe to Johan's newsletter here.
This podcast is produced with the help of Voice Note Productions. Our producer is Vasti Calitz with editing done by Andri Burnett. Kelsey Lemon provided helpful research assistance.
A podcast series about South Africa’s past, present, and future. Economic historian Johan Fourie and historical sociologist Jonathan Schoots interview social science scholars investigating fascinating questions about our country and continent and distil those lessons into practical policy suggestions today.
South Africa