Books

In this episode we chat with Timur Kuran about his book “Freedoms Delayed: Political Legacies of Islamic Law in the Middle East”. Timur explores the lasting political effects of the Middle East’s lengthy exposure to Islamic law. It identifies several channels through which Islamic institutions, both defunct and still active, have limited the expansion of... The post A Chat with Timur Kuran on Freedoms Delayed and Political Legacies of Islamic Law in the Middle East first appeared on GrowthChat.

In this episode we chat with Daron Acemoglu about his book “Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity” co-authored with Simon Johnson. Progress depends on the choices we make about technology. New ways of organizing production and communication can either serve the narrow interests of an elite or become the foundation for... The post A Chat with Daron Acemoglu on Power and Progress first appeared on GrowthChat.

In this episode we chat with Leah Boustan and Ran Abramitzky about their book “Streets of Gold: America’s Untold Story of Immigrant Success’”. Immigration is one of the most fraught, and possibly most misunderstood, topics in American social discourse—yet, in most cases, the things we believe about immigration are based largely on myth, not facts.... The post Chat with Leah Boustan and Ran Abramitzky on America’s Untold Story of Immigrant Success first appeared on GrowthChat.

In this episode we chat with Johan Fourie about his book “Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom: Lessons from 100,000 Years of Human History”, published by Cambridge University Press. Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom is an entertaining and engaging guide to global economic history told for the first time from an African perspective. In... The post A Chat with Johan Fourie on Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom first appeared on GrowthChat.

In this episode we chat with Alessio Terzi about his book “Growth for Good: Reshaping Capitalism to Save Humanity from Climate Catastrophe”, published by Harvard University Press. Is economic growth wrecking the planet? Is economic growth the engine driving climate change, pollution, and the shrinking of natural spaces? To save the environment, will we have... The post Alessio Terzi: Growth for Good first appeared on GrowthChat.

In this episode we chat with Mark Koyama and Jared Rubin about their book “How the World Became Rich: the historical origins of economic growth”. Most humans are significantly richer than their ancestors. Humanity gained nearly all of its wealth in the last two centuries. How did this come to pass? How did the world... The post Mark Koyama and Jared Rubin: How the world became rich first appeared on GrowthChat.

In this episode we chat with Oded Galor about his book “The Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality”. Oded, in a captivating journey from the dawn of human existence to the present offers an intriguing solution to two of humanity’s great mysteries. A landmark, radically uplifting account of our species’ progress from... The post Oded Galor: The Journey of Humanity first appeared on GrowthChat.