Frederick Fourie

Frederick Fourie obtained a PhD in Economics from Harvard University in 1981, with a dissertation on A Structural Theory of the Firm. In this he applied the idea of individuality structures to the firm (business enterprise), seeking to identify the typical nature of the firm on the basis of a structural analysis of the historical evolution and emancipation of the firm. Complementary work focused on deriving the intrinsic nature of the market as well as principles for the role of government in the economy.

His earlier degrees were a BA (majoring in Economics, Mathematics and Philosophy) and MA in Economics at the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He was appointed professor of Economics at the UFS in 1982 and distinguished professor in 1998. From 1992-95 he was the founding head (part-time) of the Unit for Fiscal Analysis in the Department of Finance in Pretoria. He co-authored the founding document of the South African Competition Act 1999 and was a member of the first Competition Tribunal. 

After terms as Dean and Vice-Rector: Academic, he was appointed Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS in August 2002. He returned to academic life in 2009 as a research fellow in the UFS Department of Economics, focusing on unemployment. In 2012 he was appointed Research Coordinator of the Research Project on Employment, Income Distribution and Inclusive Growth, based at the University of Cape Town (UCT). This followed his publication of a monograph on the fragmented nature of the unemployment discourse in South Africa.

Currently his own research focuses on the informal (i.e. unregistered) sector in South Africa – where millions of marginalised and poor people try to make a living in one-person and micro-enterprises – arguing for policies to enable and support (rather than harass) these enterprises. The structural theory of the firm, as developed in his PhD dissertation, again features as a conceptual tool in this research. Bibliography

Publications on the firm, the market and related topics

1.     Fourie F.C.v.N. (1981). A structural theory of the nature of the firm. PhD Dissertation (Economics), Harvard University (56 MB file).

2.     Fourie F.C.v.N. (1989):  The nature of firms and markets – do transactions approaches help? South African Journal of Economics.
or
The nature of firms and markets – do transaction approaches help? Original manuscript.

3.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1991): The nature of the market: a structural analysis, in G. Hodgson & E. Screpanti, Rethinking Economics: Markets, technology and economic evolution, Edward Elgar.
or
The nature of the market: a structural analysis. Original, more complete manuscript.

4.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1992):  Government in the economy: a Reforma­tional rethink, Philosophia Reformata.
or
Government in the economy: a Reforma­tional rethink.  Original manuscript.

5.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1993): In the beginning there were markets? in C. Pitelis (ed.): Transaction costs, markets and hierarchies, Oxford: Basil Blackwell. [Not available.]

or: 
In the beginning there were markets?  Original manuscript.

6.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1995):  Shareholder associations, control contracts and the organization of the firm. Paper presented at the 22nd Conference of the European Association for Research in Industrial Economics, Juan les Pins, France, September.

7.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1996):  Separation of ownership and control: what is the problem? South African Journal for Economic and Management Sciences.
or: 
Separation of ownership and control: a false problem? Original manuscript.

Articles and working papers on unemployment (since 2009)

Fourie, F.C.v.N. (2011): The South African unemployment debate: three worlds, three discourses?, SALDRU Working Paper 63, June.

Fourie, F.C.v.N. (2012): The South African unemployment debate: three worlds, three discourses? Revised version, REDI3x3 Working Paper 1, September.

Fourie F.C.v.N. & Leibbrandt M (2012) Unemployment: State of knowledge, gaps and research priorities for an integrated Approach, REDI3x3 Working Paper 2, September.

Fourie, F.C.v.N. (2015): The South African unemployment debate: a basis for consistent policy on employment? In Black A. (forthcoming 2015): Towards employment intensive growth in South Africa. UCT Press.

Burger P. & Fourie F.C.v.N. (2015): Macroeconomic policy and South African unemployment: developing a three-segment macroeconomic model. REDI3x3 Working Paper 6.

Fourie F.C.v.N. (2015): The National Development Plan on unemployment: on consistency, coherence and comprehensiveness. REDI3x3 Working Paper 7.

Fourie F.C.v.N. & Kerr, A. (2016): What can the Survey of Employers and the Self-employed (SESE) tell us about employment by informal firms in South Africa? REDI3x3 Working Paper.

Fourie F.C.v.N. & Kerr, A. (2016): What can the Survey of Employers and the Self-employed (SESE) tell us about employment by informal firms in South Africa?  REDI3x3 Working Paper 32.

Fourie F.C.v.N. (2016): The South African unemployment debate: a basis for consistent policy on employment? in Black, A (ed): Towards employment intensive growth in South Africa. UCT Press.

Fourie FCvN (2018): Analysing the informal sector in South Africa: Knowledge and policy gaps, conceptual and data challenges, in Fourie FCvn (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

Fourie FCvN. (2018): Informal-sector employment in South Africa: An enterprise analysis using the SESE survey, in Fourie FCvN (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

Burger P & Fourie FCvN (2018): The informal sector, economic growth and the business cycle in South Africa: Integrating the sector into macroeconomic analysis, in Fourie FCvn (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

Fourie FCvN (2018): Evolving policy paradigms: The National Development Plan, employment and the informal sector in South Africa, in Fourie FCvn (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

Fourie FCvN (2018): Enabling the forgotten sector: Informal-sector realities, policy approaches and formalisation in South Africa. in Fourie FCvN (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

Burger P & Fourie FCvN (2019): High unemployment and labour market segmentation: A three-segment macroeconomic model. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 22(1).

Burger P & Fourie FCvN (2019): The unemployed and the formal and informal sectors in South Africa: A macroeconomic analysis. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 22(1).

Articles, chapters and papers

1.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1978):  Milton Friedman’s monetary rule – a critique of its principles and consequences, South African Journal of Economics. Included in 1990 in Milton Friedman: Critical Assess­ments, Routledge, London. This is an international selection of what is considered the major critical contributions with regard to the work of Friedman (Nobel prize winner in Economics).

2.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1980a):  Serial correlation, lagged variables and the choice between different consumption function specifications, Journal for Studies in Economics and Econometrics.

3.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1980b):  Serial correlation, lagged variables and the consumption function II: the simultaneous equation context, Journal for Studies in Economics and Econometrics.

4.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1984):  Industrial concentration and inflation in South Africa 1972-1979, South African Journal of Economics.

5.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1986):  Second thoughts on economic forecasting, South African Journal of Economics.

6.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1986a):  Die wisselwerking tussen ekonomie en politiek in Suid-Afrika, in Mostert J.P.C. (ed.), Die Suid-Afrikaanse Krisis: Perspektiewe op die Grondwet­like Bestel, INEG, Bloemfontein.

7.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1986b):  Die ekonomiese bestel en politieke hervorming: ‘n prinsipiële ontleding, in Mostert J.P.C. (ed.), Die Suid-Afrikaanse Krisis: Perspektiewe op die Grondwet­like Bestel, Bloemfontein.

8.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1987a):  Mededingingsbeleid sedert 1984 – ‘n Nuwe Wending?, South African Journal of Economics.

9.     Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1987b):  Issues and problems in South African competition policy, South African Journal of Economics.

10.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1987a):  Ekonomie en politiek in die Suid-Afrikaanse ontwikkelings­geskiedenis: ‘n historiografiese verkenning, Historia.

11.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1987b):  Die nuwe subsidieformule vir universiteite – is dit werklik in hulle belang? Journal for the Humanities.

12.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Pagel, C.A. (1988):  Die aktiwiteite en benadering van die Raad op Mededinging 1980-1983, Journal for Studies in Economics and Econometrics.

13.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1988):  Ekonomiese regte en sosiale regte in ‘n akte van menseregte?, Interim, Winter 1988, INVS, UFS.

14.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1988a):  Economic rights in a charter of human rights in South Africa?, South African Journal of Economics.

15.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1988b):  Social and economic human rights: an exploratory survey, Journal for Juridical Science.

16.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1989a):  Unemployment in conventional macro-economic theory: a suggestion, South African Journal of Economics.

17.  Fourie F.C.v.N. (1989b):  The nature of firms and markets – do transaction approaches help?, South African Journal of Economics.

18.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Booysen, A. (1989):  Economic concen­tration and the variability of employment and production, Journal for Studies in Economics and Econometrics.

19.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smit, M.R. (1989):  Import-adjusted concen­tra­tion trends in South African manufac­turing industry, South African Journal of Economics.

20.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1990):  A critical evaluation of economic policy views across the political spectrum, Acta Academica.

21.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1990):  The Namibian constitution and economic rights, South African Journal on Human Rights.

22.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1991):  Economic concentra­tion and the efficacy of anti-inflationary demand policy in South Africa, South African Journal of Economics.

23.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1991):  Ekonomiese hervorming en die valse keuse tussen kapitalisme en sosialisme, in Van der Walt, B.J. (ed.), Christelike Reformasie: Gister en Vandag, Institute for Reformatory Studies, Potchefstroom.

24.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1991):  The nature of the market: a structural analysis, in G. Hodgson & E. Screpanti, Rethinking Economics: Markets, technology and economic evolution, Edward Elgar, U.K.

25.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1992):  Government in the economy: a Reforma­tional rethink, Philosophia Reformata (Netherlands).

26.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Beukes, E.P. (1992):  Economic policy views across the political spectrum, in P. Hugo (ed.): Redistribution and Affirmative Action, Southern Publishers, Halfway House.

27.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1992):  2 Februarie vir die ekonomie? Ekonomiese herstrukturering, liberali­sering en legitimiteit, Acta Academica.

28.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1992):  Quest for economic justice, in G. Howe & P. le Roux (eds): Transforming the economy: policy options for South Africa, Durban: Indicator South Africa.

29.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1993):  In the beginning there were markets?, in C. Pitelis (ed.): Transaction costs, markets and hierarchies, Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

30.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1993):  Deconcentration, deconglomeration, demerger or nationaliza­tion? A survey and evaluation, South African Journal of Economics.

31.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smith, A. (1993):  Concentration, tariff protection and industrial performance in South Africa, South African Journal of Economics.

32.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Owen, A. (1993):  Value-added tax and regressivity in South Africa, South African Journal of Economics.

33.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smith, A. (1994):  The South African cement cartel: an economic evaluation, South African Journal of Economics.

34.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smith, A. (1994):  The structure, conduct and performance of the South African building materials industry, Journal for Studies in Economics and Econometrics.

35.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Venter, W. (1994):  Bedryfskonsentrasie in die rooivleisbedryf in perspektief, Agrekon.

36.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smith, A. (1995):  The South African cement cartel: a reply, South African Journal of Economics..

37.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Steyn, W. (1996):  Preserving the structure of personal income tax in times of inflation:  a formula tax, South African Journal of Economics.

38.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1996):  Industrial concentration levels and trends in South Africa: completing the picture, South African Journal of Economics.

39.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1996):  Macro-economic balance or development? Towards a strategic framework for fiscal policy. Development Southern Africa.

40.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. (1996):  Separation of ownership and control: what is the problem? South African Journal for Economic and Management Sciences.

41.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Steyn, W. (1997):  Preserving the structure of personal income tax in times of inflation: a formula tax, South African Journal of Economics.

42.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smit, M.R. (1998): Monopoly and profits versus monopoly and wages: two sides of a coin? South African Journal of Economics.

43.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smith, A. (1998): The concentration-profits stalemate I: causality and interpretation problems, South African Journal of Economics.

44.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smith, A. (1999): The concentration-profits stalemate II: ideological rifts and methodological stress, South African Journal of Economics.

45.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Burger, P. (2000): Is fiscal sustainability attainable?  High interest rates, low growth and the general balance effect.  South African Journal of Economics 68(2):212-245.

46.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Burger, P. (2000): An economic analysis and assessment of public-private partnerships (PPPs).  South African Journal of Economics; 68(4):693.

47.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Burger, P. (2001): Fiscal implications of public-private partnerships. South African Journal of Economics 69(1):147-167.

48.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Smith, A. (2001): Revisiting the concentration-profits relationship in South Africa: Moving the debate beyond deadlock. Journal for Studies in Economics and Econometrics, 25(2): 25-60.

49.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Fourie, M. (2001). Striking a balance between becoming entrepreneurial, nurturing the academic heartland and transforming a higher education institution. Higher Education Management, 13(3): 65-84.

50.  Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Burger, P. (2003). Fiscal sustainability and the South African transformation challenge.  South African Journal of Economics.71:4 December.

51.  Booysen-Wolthers A., Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Botes, L. (2006): Changes in the development status of women in South Africa from 1996 to 2001: for the better or for the worse? Development Southern Africa, December.

52.  Booysen-Wolthers A., Fourie, F.C.v.N. & Botes, L. (2011): The development status of women in South Africa: patterns and progress in the provinces. Development Southern Africa, March.

53. Fourie F.C.v.N. (2016): The South African unemployment debate: a basis for consistent policy on employment? in Black, A (ed): Towards employment intensive growth in South Africa. UCT Press.

54. Fourie FCvN (2018): Analysing the informal sector in South Africa: Knowledge and policy gaps, conceptual and data challenges, in Fourie FCvn (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

55. Fourie FCvN. (2018): Informal-sector employment in South Africa: An enterprise analysis using the SESE survey, in Fourie FCvN (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

56. Burger P & Fourie FCvN (2018): The informal sector, economic growth and the business cycle in South Africa: Integrating the sector into macroeconomic analysis, in Fourie FCvn (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

57. Fourie FCvN (2018): Evolving policy paradigms: The National Development Plan, employment and the informal sector in South Africa, in Fourie FCvn (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

58. Fourie FCvN (2018): Enabling the forgotten sector: Informal-sector realities, policy approaches and formalisation in South Africa. in Fourie FCvN (ed): The South African informal sector: Creating jobs, reducing poverty, HSRC Press, Cape Town.

59. Burger P & Fourie FCvN (2019) High unemployment and labour market segmentation: A three-segment macroeconomic model. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 22(1).

60. Burger P & Fourie FCvN (2019). The unemployed and the formal and informal sectors in South Africa: A macroeconomic analysis. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 22(1).