Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty

Why Nations Fail

The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty

2012 • 529 pages

Ratings64

Average rating3.8

15

The book gave me a deeper understanding of history, its causalities but also its coincidences. I particularly enjoyed the “critical juncture” explanations with thought experiments on how history could've turned out e.g. if the British crown wasn't so reliant on its merchants (who eventually turned its society towards pluralism). Fascinating, although at times a bit too eager to prove the theory by abundant examples. Practical, since it lends perspective on current actions of the IMF, NGOs and how we should treat China as well as the third world nations.

May 6, 2013