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693 reviews for:
Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
Daron Acemoğlu, James A. Robinson
3.83 AVERAGE
693 reviews for:
Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
Daron Acemoğlu, James A. Robinson
3.83 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
This is the book that addresses the Romans vs Americans debate, the what goes up must come down aphorism and others. Don't let the simplicity of the questions fool you, this book is a rich and dense read with a ton to absorb.
Groundbreaking work alongside some of the greatest political and economic thinking of the modern day. I found this book enlightening and engaging. It could very well be called "Institutions", however, it's one of those books you'll have to read more then once to get the full grasp of content out of it.
The research was robust, the content was structured in a linear and logical way, and the premise was engaging and inspiring. I deduct one star only because some of the content overlapped and the clarity of the writing sometimes seemed to lack discernible direction. Overall a book that belongs in everyone's library.
Groundbreaking work alongside some of the greatest political and economic thinking of the modern day. I found this book enlightening and engaging. It could very well be called "Institutions", however, it's one of those books you'll have to read more then once to get the full grasp of content out of it.
The research was robust, the content was structured in a linear and logical way, and the premise was engaging and inspiring. I deduct one star only because some of the content overlapped and the clarity of the writing sometimes seemed to lack discernible direction. Overall a book that belongs in everyone's library.
Why Nations Fail powerfully makes a point: long-term prosperity of nations springs from inclusive political and economic institutions that allow creative destruction. Extractive institutions entrench poverty.
The book takes a tour of economic history to show how this idea has applied on all continents. Moreover, they demonstrate the vicious and virtuous circles of economic institutions: the elites will fight back against attempts to limit their power and the empowered masses will fight to stay empowered. Turns out that many nations are not poor because the leaders do not know what they're doing, but because they know exactly what they're doing.
It was a really fascinating read for me, as I hardly know any economic history. On the negative side, it gets a bit repetitive: they really rub their point on you.
The book takes a tour of economic history to show how this idea has applied on all continents. Moreover, they demonstrate the vicious and virtuous circles of economic institutions: the elites will fight back against attempts to limit their power and the empowered masses will fight to stay empowered. Turns out that many nations are not poor because the leaders do not know what they're doing, but because they know exactly what they're doing.
It was a really fascinating read for me, as I hardly know any economic history. On the negative side, it gets a bit repetitive: they really rub their point on you.
This was an excellent combination of economics and politics.
That being said, I only found it an okay read.
I can't exactly put a finger on why I didn't love it, but it just didn't hit me.
Still a great book.
3.0/5
That being said, I only found it an okay read.
I can't exactly put a finger on why I didn't love it, but it just didn't hit me.
Still a great book.
3.0/5
informative
slow-paced
The main point is explained in the first 100 pages and after that it’s just repeating and waste of time. 3 stars for the first 100 pages, would’ve given 4.5 if all the book was as informative
Only four stars because the way it's written is quite boring.
This book explains the world. It really does. I feel like it schould be a must-read in the last year of High-School to explain why some countries are poor and some are rich.
I recommend it to anyone who is interested to understand the dynamics of world history, and to anyone who ever had the question "but why can't a country like Sierra Leone be rich?" (or any othe country).
This book explains the world. It really does. I feel like it schould be a must-read in the last year of High-School to explain why some countries are poor and some are rich.
I recommend it to anyone who is interested to understand the dynamics of world history, and to anyone who ever had the question "but why can't a country like Sierra Leone be rich?" (or any othe country).
Quite repetitive, decent book about corruption but ultimately unsexy corruption.
I think this book could have either made some deeper dives into the effects of these failures to humanize them. Anything to be a bit less textbook.
I think this book could have either made some deeper dives into the effects of these failures to humanize them. Anything to be a bit less textbook.
This is a quality book on economics although I would maybe not recommend it to everyone. It's certainly not light reading, but it you're a policy or economics wonk, it's probably up your alley. It offers a lot of compelling information on the book's central thesis: nations are more likely to succeed economically when political and economic institutions are inclusive rather than extractive. The tone was on the dry side and I do wonder whether other factors, such as geography and climate, are larger than the authors claim.
Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and will look out for other works by both of the authors in the future.
Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and will look out for other works by both of the authors in the future.
I had long been excited about reading this book, and finally managed to pick it up at an airport recently. While the content is interesting, I found it a struggle to read. It was too conversational and obviously framed for mass market consumption rather than for someone with any knowledge about the topic. Slightly disappointed, but still a good intro to the topic for anyone unfamiliar and seeking an easy entry.