False Economy A Surprising Economic History of the World

by Beattie, Alan

• ISBN13: 9781594488665
• ISBN10: 1594488665
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-04-16
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover

Summary

An important book for turbulent times-an accessible and engaging economic history of the world, by a leading economic writer. Alan Beattie has long been intrigued by the fates of different countries, economies, and societies-why some fail and some succeed. Here, he weaves together elements of economics, history, politics, and human stories, revealing that societies, economies, and countries usually make concrete choices that determine their destinies. He opens up larger questions about these choices, and why countries make them or are driven to make them, and what those decisions can mean for the future of our global economy. Economic history involves forcing together disciplines that fall naturally in different directions. But Beattie has written a lively and lucid book that successfully marries the two subjects and illustrates their interdependence. In doing so, he addresses such illuminating queries as: Why are oil and diamonds more trouble than they are worth? Why did Argentina fail and the United States succeed? Why doesn't Africa grow cocaine? False Economy explains how human beings have shaped their own fates, however unknowingly, and the conditions of the countries they call home. And though it is history, it does not end with the present day. Beattie shows how decisions that are being made now-which have either absorbed or failed to absorb the lessons from economic history-will determine what happens in the future. What does economic history teach us about the present economic unrest? Who will succeed and why? And who will fail? These are questions that we cannot afford to leave unasked . . . or unanswered.

Author Biography

Alan Beattie graduated from Balliol College, Oxford, with a degree in history. After taking a master's degree in economics at Cambridge, he worked as an economist at the Bank of England and then joined the in 1998. Currently the FT's world trade editor, he writes about economics, globalization and development.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. 1
Making Choices: Why did Argentina Succeed and the United States Stall?	p. 5
Cities: Why Didn't Washington, D.C., Get the Vote?	p. 43
Trade: Why does Egypt Import Half its Staple Food?	p. 73
Natural Resources: Why are Oil and Diamonds more Trouble than they are Worth?	p. 101
Religion: Why Don't Islamic Countries get Rich?	p. 127
Politics of Development: Why does our Asparagus come from Peru?	p. 157
Trade Routes and Supply Chains: Why Doesn't Africa Grow Cocaine?	p. 191
Corruption: Why did Indonesia Prosper Under a Crooked Ruler and Tanzania Stay Poor Under an Honest One?	p. 223
Path Dependence: Why are Pandas so Useless?	p. 255
Conclusion: Our Remedies OFT in Ourselves do Lie	p. 287
Acknowledgments	p. 303
Selected Bibliography and Notes	p. 305
Index	p. 313
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