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."
Benjamin Jr Bogonko –
Am about to read this novel and am sure it will be an amazing read.
Zephyr Waithira –
The Colour of The Sun by Achieng Opiyo is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that tackles heavy African issues in marriage, parenting, and family. It is a must-read for anyone interested in African literature or interested in understanding the complex issues surrounding these themes.
Evans –
Why did Achieng Opiyo write the book ” The colour of the sun “?
Achieng picks the reader with two characters into a wedding picturesque from the isle off to a honeymoon.
Fast forward,Achieng brings the reader to two families breathless situations – one with the way kids grow in the absence of parents,and the other a tag of war with lady mother-in-law coz a kid is yet to be born five years later!
Achieng Opiyo,fit for a collectors item is generous enough with the choice of words that leaves the reader in suspense eager to know what happens next .
The unapologetic Luopean!
By name and origin, Achieng Opiyo is a typical lady from luo land who unapologetically uses names such as Smith,Dior and Ensley for characters that throws the reader to an imaginary world fit for ” Nchi ya kusadikika ” , only to find a Bakari and Mutunga to awaken the reader to be in Kenya .
Then a typical jigsaw ensues that displays the man of the house in the middle to accept mum and wife at the same time in the latter’s house.
Most authors like Chinua Achebe who penned ” Things Fall Apart” , Mariama Ba’ of ” So Long a letter ” use names of major characters and farmilier societal setting for a homestretch reading. Achieng wants you to read and think along to discover what ” The Colour of the Sun “is .
A clean read of the book will not only define what the book is is all about,but will explain Achieng Opiyo’s mind of a prolific writer ✍️ in the making .
Grab your copy for your 👀.
Betina –
I finished the book and I did love it
The simple style of writing… I personally like books that do not spend too much time on description and this book offered that. There was a lot of drama and I couldn’t tell what the next chapter or page will give
Downside:
There was a lot of drama which is good…but most of it was non explained.. well.. e.g the twins issue… but this could be because I am a logical person by nature
Some parts were medically incorrect or impossible… like being alive a fter various bullets were lodged in your brain…. or a black person having green eyes
Achieng Opiyo –
This rollercoaster is a book you all deserve to read. Grab a copy and enjoy the read.
Cornelius Rop –
looking forward to reading this