Financial Times world trade editor Beattie combines economic history,
psychology and political analysis to identify the factors that predispose
economies to sickness or health. The author takes a human interest,
Freakonomics-style approach to such economic riddles as why Islamic
nations stay mired in poverty (he argues that one reason might be
the Qur'an's dictum against usury and interest-earning) and why Africa
is dependent on exporting raw materials rather than commercial products
(soaring temperatures and shoddy infrastructure). Beattie imbues economics
with wonderful mystery as he untangles the mechanisms of the blood diamond
trade and Peru's curious stranglehold on the global export of asparagus.
Closer to home, Beattie examines the economic rivalry between Argentina
and the United States a century ago; when Argentina seemed to be winning,
the U.S. made a series of crucial decisions, moved forward and left
Argentina poised for financial disaster. Thorough research, eclectic
examples and a sprightly tone (Puritans were not big on bling) should
make this a hit among those interested in world economics.and a must-read
alternative for those who couldn't get through Guns, Germs and Steel.

Download File Size:1.21 MB

---