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Professor Ha-Joon Chang is inspired by his passion for food to reflect on why economics matters – or, as he puts it, “a hungry economist explains the world”.

Omnibus of five episodes, where he zooms in on familiar foods:

* Garlic
* Bananas
* Okra
* Rye
* Chocolate

He uses the histories behind each – where they come from, how they’re cooked and consumed and what they mean to different cultures – to explore economic theories.

Witty and thought-provoking, Professor Chang sets out to challenge ideas about the free-market economy which he believes have been too easily accepted for decades.

Read by Arthur Lee.

*** Professor Ha-Joon Chang teaches economics at SOAS University of London, and is one of the world’s leading economists. His books include Economics: The User’s Guide, Bad Samaritans and 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism.

*** Reader Arthur Lee is a British actor of Korean descent who made his international debut on HBO Cinemax’s Strike Back in 2015 and who recently appeared in Doctor Who. Arthur grew up mostly in London, but also spent several years in South Korea advancing his knowledge of Korean language and culture.

Abridged and produced by Elizabeth Burke

Executive Producer: Jo Rowntree

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2022.

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