The book Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty

Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty, written by Daron, Acemoglu, and Robinson, is a broad attempt to explain the heartbreaking poverty that exists in the majority of developing countries (Bass, 2012). One of the book's primary points is that economic success is heavily dependent on a country's political structure and economic institutions. Countries that establish incentives for people and reward creativity, according to the authors, are more likely to prosper economically (Acemoglu & James, 2012). Furthermore, a government that is accountable and responsive to citizens' concerns will be very productive economically.  Perhaps one of the primary strengths of the book is the fact that it goes way beyond the power of summary, as it is packed with historical vignettes. The book captures striking historical and current times to show how different nations were and what led to their rise or their fall. Examples of the nations mentioned by the authors are such as the later Roman Empire, Soviet Union, North and South Korea. The authors explain that North Korea and South Korea are a homogeneous nation yet the northern people are poor, endure famine and undergo political repression. Their counterparts in the south are on the hand very successful economically and stable politically because they had incentives and rewarded innovation which brought great economic success to these nations (Acemoglu & James 2012, p.326). The book also captures the growth of China and America and if they will continue to grow at the same rate or not in future.

Critical Assessment

I greatly concur with the main points given by the authors, Daron and James because when a nation puts in place programs that are inclusive of the citizens politically and also regarding economic institutions, they will be successful. Nations with inclusive institutions will be peaceful and focused thus, gearing the citizens to work towards productivity. The extractive nations will be focusing on maintaining internal peace thus, not focusing on the progress of the nation economically through setting crucial programs, hence, causing them to fail (Jennings 2013, p.328). When a nation rewards innovation of the people in cultivates diversity and hard work whereby the citizens will have innovations that will change the technology, mechanics and other industries thus bringing success to the nation.

The empirical evidence and critical analysis by authors, Daron and James, is highly satisfactory because it dates back to long ago from the Roman Empire, medieval Venice, Mayan States, Latin America, United States and England providing further evidence for their arguments. The diversity of the regions being analyzed by the authors is also highly satisfactory since it provides broader points of references in terms of political systems and economic states. The research took the authors fifteen years to compile and conclude; enough time to monitor and analyze the trends as well as political and economic patterns in different nations to ascertain their progress (Kellecioglu 2013, p.118).

In conclusion, this study enhances people’s understanding of global politics through associating particular qualities of leadership, political status economic decisions with the development of a nation. This helps to predict the direction a nation is heading whether towards success or failure depending on the factors at hand. This study also helps in understanding global politics through knowing what aspects made a nation rose or fall. Through this study, other nations can emulate what is being done by successful nations to improve politically as well as economically.





References

Acemoglu, D, and James A. (2012). Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty. London: Profile.

Bass, W. (2012). Book Review: ‘Why Nations Fail,’ by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. Washington Post. Retrieved From: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/book-review-why-nations-fail-by-daron-acemoglu-and-james-a-robinson/2012/04/20/gIQAcHs8VT_story.html?utm_term=.73fc3561bad3

Jennings, C.(2013). Institutions and prosperity: A review of Timothy Besley and TorstenPersson, Pillars of Prosperity: The Political Economics of Development Clusters, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2011, pp. 375 and DaronAcemoglu and James A. Robinson, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty, Profile Books, London 2012, pp. 529.

Kellecioglu, D.(2013). Book Review: Why Nations fail–the origins of power, prosperity and poverty. World Economic Review, 2013(2), pp.118-118.