Comment

Why Nations Fail

the Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty
Sep 24, 2016kdsheat rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding book. I listened the audio book then had to get the print copy out to read. A fascinating overview of economic and political history and a sound argument of why some countries are poor and why some are rich. I think the comment by the previous reader was a valid one although the influence of religion is mentioned in the book. One thinks of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt as an example where religious doctrine repressed pluralism after the Arab spring in Egypt hence resulting in a military coup and a continuation of the graft and corruption that keeps Egypt poor relative to the west. As Acemoglu and Robinson states pluralism and a level playing field is needed for the economic institutions to develop that will return foster development and prosperity. It makes me think where the USA is at the moment with the slow progression towards accumulation of wealth and power with the elites and the decline of the middle class. Could it be in 50 years the US dramatically slips down the list of rich countries due to the corruption of political institutions in that country. As the writer in the book states nothing is immutable, history is not preordained. A compulsory read for anyone who wants to understand how politics and economics, power and prosperity are so closely intertwined.