Left Behind

In many prosperous nations, there exist regions that lag behind, such as South Yorkshire, once a hub of the industrial revolution but now England's poorest county, and Barranquilla, which was once Colombia’s gateway to the Caribbean, now facing struggles. More concerning is that the world's poorest countries continue to fall further behind compared to wealthier nations. What causes these areas to decline, and what solutions do we have? Esteemed development economist Paul Collier explores these questions in his book, where he provides an honest analysis of the factors leading to the increasing disparity between regions and nations. Collier criticizes outdated economic principles that emphasize market forces and centralized government bodies like the UK Treasury. He points to recent academic research that highlights the importance of collective learning, social capital, and local empowerment in countering decline and promoting equal opportunities. By integrating ideas from social psychology, moral philosophy, and behavioral economics, and supported by enlightening case studies, Collier presents an inspiring vision for a more equal and prosperous global society.