Why Nations Fail

Date: 2023-05-24

Book Authors: Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson

This isn’t a light read — but it’s one of the most important. The book explores a bold theory: that the wealth of nations depends not on culture, geography, or luck — but on inclusive institutions. In other words, power that’s shared, not hoarded.

💡 Core Thesis: • Inclusive political and economic systems drive prosperity. • Extractive systems — where power and wealth are concentrated — eventually collapse. • History isn’t a straight line. Progress isn’t guaranteed.

❤️ What Worked For Me: • Detailed examples — from the Congo to Korea to colonial America. • Challenges lazy arguments about “lazy cultures” or bad weather. • Gave me a new lens for reading the news.

🤔 What's Tough: • Long. 500+ pages of academic prose. • The tone is repetitive at times.

📈 Verdict: If you care about policy, global inequality, or startup ecosystems — this is essential context

Rating: 4.6/5