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"...practically all of today's developed countries, including Britain and the US, the supposed homes of the free market and free trade, have become rich on the basis of policy recipes that go against the orthodoxy of neo-liberal economics."

"So the two champions of free trade, Britain and the US, were not only not free trade economies, but have been the two most protectionist economies among rich countries, i.e. until they each in succession became the world's dominant industrial power."

"Unlike what neo-liberals say, market and democracy clash at a fundamental level. Democracy runs on the principle of 'one man (one person), one vote'. The market runs on the principle 'one dollar, one vote'. "

Ha-Joon Chang
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informative medium-paced

Informative and a helpful rebuttal against parts of The World is Flat, but ultimately disappointed me. Acknowledged some counterarguments but didn't really refute them. Included plenty of statistics, but not enough explanation for them. Some bad and frustrating metaphors. The ideas here are not bad and I agree with many of them, but the presentation and argument is unconvincing.
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I was recommended to read this by a Korean friend who told me this book is banned in Korea.

As someone with little understanding or interest in economics, this was an interesting and nuanced read. Chang uses several compelling examples and ideas to disprove the myth that free trade was and continues to be the best and most fair method for a nation's economy to develop successfully. Unfortunately, the undeniable impact slavery and slave labor on globalization and colonial power is almost entirely ignored which is disappointing. 

Interesting enough, and a nice alternate view to the free market mantra unthinkingly chanted by dear leaders. Suffered from sports metaphors, oversimplification (forgivable, as an economic history for the average person can only get so technical - but it could have been a little more fact heavy), and a complete lack of proofreading.

الليبرالية الجديدة اتعلمها الجلاشة في الكتاب دا تقريبا
كل افكار المدرسة بداية من حرية التجارة الخارجية والاستثمار وحقوق الملكية الفكرية والخصخصة والتضخم ودور(الصندوق والبنك الدوليين ومنظمة التجارة العالمية) تم مناقشتها واعطاء بدائل غير نمطية بناء على معطايت النظريات الاقتصادية بالاضافة الي التجارب الواقعية والتاريخية للدول المتقدمه ذاتها !

An economist debunks the reigning theory of neo-liberal economics and explains the harm it has done the world economy in the last several decades, particularly in regards to developing nations. The title comes from the fact that the world's rich nations all got that way by not following the neo-liberal prescription, but now force it upon the world's developing nations.