Brilliant and engagingly written, Why Nations Fail answers the question that has stumped the experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine? Is it culture, the weather, geography?
Perhaps ignorance of what the right policies are? Simply, no. None of these factors is either definitive or destiny. Otherwise, how to explain why Botswana has become one of the fastest growing countries in the world, while other African nations, such as Zimbabwe, the Congo, and Sierra Leone, are mired in poverty and violence?
Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson conclusively show that it is man-made political and economic institutions that underlie economic success (or lack of it). Korea, to take just one of their fascinating examples, is a remarkably homogeneous nation, yet the people of North Korea are among the poorest on earth while their brothers and sisters in South Korea are among the richest. The south forged a society that created incentives, rewarded innovation, and allowed everyone to participate in economic opportunities.
The economic success thus spurred was sustained because the government became accountable and responsive to citizens and the great mass of people. Sadly, the people of the north have endured decades of famine, political repression, and very different economic institutions—with no end in sight. The differences between the Koreas is due to the politics that created these completely different institutional trajectories.
Based on fifteen years of original research Acemoglu and Robinson marshall extraordinary historical evidence from the Roman Empire, the Mayan city-states, medieval Venice, the Soviet Union, Latin America, England, Europe, the United States, and Africa to build a new theory of political economy with great relevance for the big questions of today, including: - China has built an authoritarian growth machine.
Will it continue to grow at such high speed and overwhelm the West? - Are America’s best days behind it? Are we moving from a virtuous circle in which efforts by elites to aggrandize power are resisted to a vicious one that enriches and empowers a small minority? - What is the most effective way to help move billions of people from the rut of poverty to prosperity?
More philanthropy from the wealthy nations of the West? Or learning the hard-won lessons of Acemoglu and Robinson’s breakthrough ideas on the interplay between inclusive political and economic institutions? Why Nations Fail will change the way you look at—and understand—the world."
Gabriel Oguda –
I had hoped to finish reading this book within three days after its launch earlier this month, but that was hardly possible with the unexpected events life threw my way. While I was eagerly planning to dive into its pages, circumstances kept me reaching for my bowl of popcorn instead, as certain distractions demanded my full attention. Nonetheless, when I finally started reading, I realized the wait was worthwhile, for this book delves into the complex layers of Kenyan politics in a way that few do, offering a unique glimpse into the life and legacy of Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona.
Millie is a character who defies simple definitions. Known widely as the “Bad Girl of Kenyan politics,” her fierce, outspoken demeanor has earned her a reputation of unpredictability and relentlessness. Millie herself admits that her fearless approach stems from her roots in African feminism, though this is only one of many layers that shape her story. Through the foreword by Raila Odinga and the following chapters, readers quickly see beyond the media’s portrayal of Millie as a source of chaos, instead discovering a politician with an unwavering sense of purpose. Beneath the tough exterior is a vulnerable woman deeply affected by the often brutal nature of Kenyan politics, and someone who, had she not become an MP, could have easily thrived in a humanitarian role.
As the pages unfold, Millie’s journey reveals the raw realities of political life, including tales of betrayal, loyalty, and survival. She recounts her initiation into politics during the 2007 post-election violence and the defining moments that followed, likening herself to a political “big game hunter.” Much like a football player rising to the occasion in critical matches, Millie saw herself prepared to face Kenya’s fiercest political challenges head-on. She reflects on the political figures she crossed paths with, from Oburu Oginga to Gerald Otieno Kajwang, and the personal costs of political allegiances. This book is not only a window into her world but also an eye-opener for those considering a political career in Kenya, cautioning them to brace for the storms that come with it.