cstack's review against another edition
5.0
Really in-depth, really packed with information. I was taking notes the whole time. Legitimately made me rethink several things I just assumed to be true (e.g. worldwide poverty is decreasing, e.g. debt should always be repaid, e.g. free trade is fair)
It tries to answer why some countries are rich and others are poor. The shortest answer: colonialism. A slightly longer answer: Colonialism, slavery, theft, invasion, unfair trade.
There's a pretty good summary of the suggested solutions to global inequality near the end of the book, so I might as well parrot them here:
(1) Forgive the debt of poor countries that was taken on unfairly, or which had unfair interest rates.
(2) The WTO, the World Bank and the IMF should have more democratic representation based on population, not capital.
(3) The scale of liberalization vs subsidies right now favors rich countries. We should reverse that.
(4) A global minimum wage of 50% the median wage in the given country, but at least the poverty line in the given country.
(5) (this one is actually 3) Reduce tax evasion, reduce privatization of common resources, and make rich countries bear the brunt of fighting climate change.
It tries to answer why some countries are rich and others are poor. The shortest answer: colonialism. A slightly longer answer: Colonialism, slavery, theft, invasion, unfair trade.
There's a pretty good summary of the suggested solutions to global inequality near the end of the book, so I might as well parrot them here:
(1) Forgive the debt of poor countries that was taken on unfairly, or which had unfair interest rates.
(2) The WTO, the World Bank and the IMF should have more democratic representation based on population, not capital.
(3) The scale of liberalization vs subsidies right now favors rich countries. We should reverse that.
(4) A global minimum wage of 50% the median wage in the given country, but at least the poverty line in the given country.
(5) (this one is actually 3) Reduce tax evasion, reduce privatization of common resources, and make rich countries bear the brunt of fighting climate change.
juliakaye's review against another edition
5.0
such a good book that gave me so much to think about. highly recommend reading if you are interested in how to solve inequality.
blankcat's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Everyone needs to read this book to realise how broken and unequal our current economic system is.
roguebear's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing new really but very accessible. A chilling review of our current condition.
jack_reid's review against another edition
5.0
Assumption crushing book about the Global South countries - LatAm, Africa, Asia - and how the West has kicked down the ladder to prosperity. I knew we’d avoided helping other countries, but didn’t realize how much we are actively hurting them. A similar but inferior book, Bad Samaritans, introduced me to the concept of closing off an economy from free trade to grow native industries.
But the Divide goes much, much further and demonstrates how the whole political system - WTO, tariffs, military coups, NAFTA, etc - all conspire to improve economic growth for the West and keep the Global South as low cost, low tax, havens producing raw resources. The only place this did not happen - East Asia, either protected by the US or by China’s power.
Heady stuff, recommend for anyone.
But the Divide goes much, much further and demonstrates how the whole political system - WTO, tariffs, military coups, NAFTA, etc - all conspire to improve economic growth for the West and keep the Global South as low cost, low tax, havens producing raw resources. The only place this did not happen - East Asia, either protected by the US or by China’s power.
Heady stuff, recommend for anyone.
mojojomo's review against another edition
5.0
“Sweeping” “Pioneering” “Revelatory” These are a few appropriate adjectives I gleaned from others’ more thoughtful reviews. I concur! Jason Hickel’s thorough, well-researched and written work turns everything you’ve ever known about economic “development” on its head. Essential reading for those who care deeply about humanity and policy.
On to Less is More next!
On to Less is More next!
tallulahshark's review against another edition
5.0
Rutger Bregman 2.0
Will definitely revisit this, fucking fantastic but also sad?
Will definitely revisit this, fucking fantastic but also sad?
edowdle's review against another edition
5.0
Very well written, and extraordinarily important material. A must-read.
kathrynamonett's review against another edition
4.0
The last part of this book would be a great follow-up for Doughnut Economics.