Why Nations Fail

The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty

De: Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson

Narrado por: Dan Woren

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 15 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Daron Acemoglu (P)2012 Random House

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Why Nations Fail is a truly awesome book. Acemoglu and Robinson tackle one of the most important problems in the social sciences - a question that has bedeviled leading thinkers for centuries - and offer an answer that is brilliant in its simplicity and power. A wonderfully readable mix of history, political science, and economics, this book will change the way we think about economic development. Why Nations Fail is a must-read book." (Steven Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics)

"You will have three reasons to love this book: It’s about national income differences within the modern world, perhaps the biggest problem facing the world today. It’s peppered with fascinating stories that will make you a spellbinder at cocktail parties - such as why Botswana is prospering and Sierra Leone isn’t. And it’s a great read. Like me, you may succumb to reading it in one go, and then you may come back to it again and again." (Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of the best sellers Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse)

"A compelling and highly readable book. And [the] conclusion is a cheering one: The authoritarian ‘extractive’ institutions like the ones that drive growth in China today are bound to run out of steam. Without the inclusive institutions that first evolved in the West, sustainable growth is impossible, because only a truly free society can foster genuine innovation and the creative destruction that is its corollary." (Niall Ferguson, author of The Ascent of Money)

Like buying Apple at $2.75 - This matters!

'Inclusive political institutions" is a phrase we are already beginning to hear from analysts in the media. We will hear it more. This work manages to weave a historical analysis of major and minor nations into a coherent explanation of economic success and failure. It might just lend new insight into our problems here and now. It has changed my own opinion in important ways.

Well presented theory of national economies

A good theory of what makes national economies succeed or fail, supported by an impressive amount of historical research and examples. Worth a read just for the history it contains, examples of political and social structures from ancient Egypt to modern times, that are rarely mentioned in other histories, this was very informative and interesting. The audio artist was clear and well paced, so the book was presented like a series of lectures each with a specific topic the author was trying to convey. The effect was like listening to a well done college course on history and economics. Final summary was very thought provoking and raises questions regarding which direction the future economy of the world will be going. So many historical facts and so well written intend to reread and listen to it again, the reference maps and figures help greatly to understand the authors points. Excellent book and very well done.

Important learning

This book is essential reading for everyone who cares about the future of democracy and successful economic development. Inclusive institutions and an environment of creative destruction is clearly fundamental to success.

A great account for understanding development

Being from a developing country (in subsaharian Africa) I can say for a fact that this book is really eye opening. It gives answers and helps understand the reason my country is at the state it is and challenges me to take action into being part of the change. Thank you

Why Nations Fail : Why I gave 5 star to this book

Where does Why Nations Fail rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It so far the best book on ecomomics and world history I have read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book presents an amazing account of world history vis a vis evolution and growth or decline of societies, countries empires. . The authors have worked hard for many years to collect data and analyze to come up with a credible theory on prosperity or poverty of nations.

This book remove many of my ideas that used to have. For example I had the misconception that geography,race, work ethic and climate were some of the reasons why some nations are perpetually poor.

very good but requires critical appraisal

The book relies on technical arguments while maintaining an accessible to non-experts approach. The authors make interesting and valid points but could reflect critically on some examples, such as citing Thomas Edison as a role model without even mentioning Nicola Tesla. Despite the lack of criticism towards some subjects, such as the political problems the US and the UK encounter today (actually, at the time the book was published), the book displays a good general picture about democracy and economy. Six years after the publication, it would be good to know what the authors think about the changes that occurred since the book was issued.

Clear, logical theory

What did you love best about Why Nations Fail?

This book did a great job of allowing me to understand "why nations fail" It presents a logical and intelligent framework for viewing social history, without making specific predictions (save for a couple on China). Well worth the listen, even though for me, and 18 hour book needs to be done marathon style (1.5 weeks) or it will take a month or more to complete.

Amazing

This is an amazing overview of why certain nations are prosperous and why certain nations are not. The research on this must have not been easy, but the thesis seems to be supported with many examples. I am curious to see if the predictions will come to pass. It is not the most interesting book in the world at certain times and a bit repetitive, but if you like history and like to see why things prosper, you will like this book.

Amazing historical and political insight .

This book reset my perspective of world history and the dynamics of societal success and failure.

Nations fail but this book succeeds

This is a landmark book that explores the means by which nations acquired their wealth. While I'd disagree with aspects of their narrative, especially on the impact of the "Glorious Revolution", the book provides a scholar thesis that will prompt debate on this important subject.