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."
Solomon Mwanga –
Maandamanos appear to be a scheme by those who caused Baba’s flop to hide the truth from him. Those who misadvised him then,are still doing it today to hide their true value in Raila’s journey. It is a shame
Mathu –
Thank you for your book, above-mentioned. I am one among the millions frustrated Kenyans about the outcome of last year’s elections! I have been enlightened by your book which you have written in a precise, forthright & inspiring way. I hope many Kenyans & especially supporters of Baba read it!
With humility, I think i can describe you as a patriotic, honest, brilliant, courageous & very independent-minded Kenyan!… In your conclusion, you have suggested that we need a successor to Baba who is brave & ready to suffer to redeem Kenya, otherwise, with the exit of Baba one day, without somebody like him who can stand fearlessly for Kenya, I shudder to imagine what would happen to Kenyans especially with the current type of regime!
I am an old man. I am not a politician……May I suggest that you gather like-minded Kenyans like you & start a movement to mentor such a person as described above! …. Hopefully you become the person!!
Anyway, thank you for educating us. We continue to pray for our motherland and I believe soon & very soon the seeds of good governance which were sown by the many fighters for democracy and watered by sweat, suffering & blood of Kenyans will germinate & completely outgrow the weeds of bad governance, greed, corruption & all manner of malaise we witness today!
Koshal –
The best detailed Book indeed!
‘Raila The 5th’ ended up being a JOKE.
Gloria Mathenge (verified owner) –
I’ll rank it a 5* mainly for the responsibility the author takes to put his truth in writing something that many Kenyans will not do. We are still looking for something worthwhile to read from the 2017 election happenings. Well done Mr. Kanchory
Kiprono Kogo –
The truth is always the truth, regardless of what many will or may say, but it will remain with its value.
Maandamanos appear to be a scheme by those who caused Baba’s flop to hide the truth from him. Those who misadvised him then,are still doing it today to hide their true value in Raila’s journey. It is a shame
Raymond –
Sensational in title and hype. Very little depth. This is a very shallow account of what could’ve been an exceptional read.
I don’t get the sense of a “tell all” account of exactly why “Baba is not the 5th”.
⭐️/5
Robert Murunga –
While it is a bravery did for Mr Kanchori in authoring truth which many of Odinga’s disciples will despute bitterly. It becomes unreasonable for the same author to still stand some ground that he believes Raila won and that opening of the IEBC servers shall vindicate him. The Azimio’s chief agent should market and defend his published findings and stop giving mixed signals.
Poyop Tuum Araap Cheromit. –
Ohh. The normal crybaby attitude after loosing an election. A great book but it will be dismissed by the normal culprits.
Simon mbugua –
Truth is like pregnancy one can never hide it for long. Raila Odinga lost and that is the living truth !
The maadamano is his modus operandi to remain popular hiding behind the server.