📈 National Prosperity

Investigations into what makes nations thrive economically and socially, weighing the roles of policy, culture, geography, and institutional design in generating widespread well-being.

The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth

by Benjamin M. Friedman • 2005

Why tolerance and democracy depend on a growing economy, and why stagnation turns societies inward.

3.73

255

📜 Economic History ⚖️ Moral Economy 🏛️ Political Economy

The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth Summary

The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth 88%

Why tolerance and democracy depend on a growing economy, and why stagnation turns societies inward.

by Benjamin M. Friedman 2005

3.73

255 ratings

📜 Economic History ⚖️ Moral Economy 🏛️ Political Economy

Entrepreneurial Nation

by Ro Khanna • 2012

Six times more productive: America's factory floor still beats China's, but policy hasn't caught up.

3.73

🏭 American Manufacturing 🏛️ Industrial Policy ⚙️ Innovation Policy

Entrepreneurial Nation 88%

Six times more productive: America's factory floor still beats China's, but policy hasn't caught up.

by Ro Khanna 2012

3.73

30 ratings

🏭 American Manufacturing 🏛️ Industrial Policy ⚙️ Innovation Policy

Day of Reckoning

by Benjamin M. Friedman • 1989

The 1980s turned America's prosperity into a mortgage, with the next generation as collateral.

3.38

🏛️ Fiscal Policy ⚖️ Political Economy 💸 National Debt

Day of Reckoning 87%

The 1980s turned America's prosperity into a mortgage, with the next generation as collateral.

by Benjamin M. Friedman 1989

3.38

13 ratings

🏛️ Fiscal Policy ⚖️ Political Economy 💸 National Debt

Keeping the Republic

by Mitch Daniels • 2011

A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.

4.02

252

💰 Fiscal Conservatism 🏛️ Limited Government 📉 Fiscal Policy

Keeping the Republic 87%

A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.

by Mitch Daniels 2011

4.02

252 ratings

💰 Fiscal Conservatism 🏛️ Limited Government 📉 Fiscal Policy

GDP

by Diane Coyle • 2014

GDP was built for counting tanks and factories, not software, services, or a livable planet.

3.65

816

📏 Economic Measurement 📜 Economic History 🏛️ Macroeconomic Policy

GDP 87%

GDP was built for counting tanks and factories, not software, services, or a livable planet.

by Diane Coyle 2014

3.65

816 ratings

📏 Economic Measurement 📜 Economic History 🏛️ Macroeconomic Policy

Marketcrafters

by Chris Hughes • 2025

Free markets are a myth. A century of government building and bailing out the American economy.

3.78

178

🏛️ Economic History ⚖️ Political Economy 🏭 Industrial Policy

Marketcrafters 87%

Free markets are a myth. A century of government building and bailing out the American economy.

by Chris Hughes 2025

3.78

178 ratings

🏛️ Economic History ⚖️ Political Economy 🏭 Industrial Policy

Land of Promise

by Michael Lind • 2012

America's economic history is a tug-of-war between two founders: one who built, one who dismantled.

3.91

397

📜 Economic History 🏛️ Political Economy 🏭 Industrial Revolutions

Land of Promise 87%

America's economic history is a tug-of-war between two founders: one who built, one who dismantled.

by Michael Lind 2012

3.91

397 ratings

📜 Economic History 🏛️ Political Economy 🏭 Industrial Revolutions

Mission India

by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam • 2005

India's blueprint to manufacture 70% of its defense, lead in software, and lift a billion people.

4.30

366

🏛️ National Development 🏦 Indian Economy 💻 Technology Policy

Mission India 87%

India's blueprint to manufacture 70% of its defense, lead in software, and lift a billion people.

by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 2005

4.30

366 ratings

🏛️ National Development 🏦 Indian Economy 💻 Technology Policy

Broke

by Glenn Beck • 2010

America's real debt tops $64 trillion. Rome and Spain collapsed the same way.

4.01

2k+

💸 National Debt 🪙 Fiscal Conservatism 🏛️ Limited Government

Broke 87%

America's real debt tops $64 trillion. Rome and Spain collapsed the same way.

by Glenn Beck 2010

4.01

2k+ ratings

💸 National Debt 🪙 Fiscal Conservatism 🏛️ Limited Government

The World's Banker

by Sebastian Mallaby • 2004

Wolfensohn went to Nigeria to speed development. A prison cell taught what no plan can.

3.79

266

🌱 Development Economics 🤝 Multilateralism 💵 Foreign Aid

The World's Banker 87%

Wolfensohn went to Nigeria to speed development. A prison cell taught what no plan can.

by Sebastian Mallaby 2004

3.79

266 ratings

🌱 Development Economics 🤝 Multilateralism 💵 Foreign Aid

The Asian Aspiration

by Greg Mills • 2020

From land reform in Taiwan to high-speed rail in China: the Asian model Africa should follow.

3.70

📈 Development Economics 🌍 African Development 🏛️ Institutional Reform

The Asian Aspiration 87%

From land reform in Taiwan to high-speed rail in China: the Asian model Africa should follow.

by Greg Mills 2020

3.70

20 ratings

📈 Development Economics 🌍 African Development 🏛️ Institutional Reform

Jump-Starting America

by Jonathan Gruber • 2019

Public science built the middle class. We cut R&D by two-thirds. China noticed.

4.07

334

🔬 Science Policy 💡 Innovation Economics 🏙️ Technology Hubs

Jump-Starting America 87%

Public science built the middle class. We cut R&D by two-thirds. China noticed.

by Jonathan Gruber 2019

4.07

334 ratings

🔬 Science Policy 💡 Innovation Economics 🏙️ Technology Hubs

Death by China

by Peter Navarro • 2011

America armed its biggest rival: every dollar spent at Walmart helped finance the Chinese military.

3.50

531

🇺🇸 Economic Nationalism 🏭 Authoritarian Capitalism 💱 Currency Manipulation

Death by China 87%

America armed its biggest rival: every dollar spent at Walmart helped finance the Chinese military.

by Peter Navarro 2011

3.50

531 ratings

🇺🇸 Economic Nationalism 🏭 Authoritarian Capitalism 💱 Currency Manipulation

From Third World to First

by Lee Kuan Yew • 2000

No resources, no market, no military: the decisions that lifted a nation to prosperity.

4.46

5k+

🇧🇧 Nation-Building 🇯🇵 Asian Developmentalism 🇵🇸 Postcolonial States

From Third World to First 87%

No resources, no market, no military: the decisions that lifted a nation to prosperity.

by Lee Kuan Yew 2000

4.46

5k+ ratings

🇧🇧 Nation-Building 🇯🇵 Asian Developmentalism 🇵🇸 Postcolonial States

Concrete Economics

by Stephen S. Cohen • 2015

Free markets didn't build American prosperity. Government did, repeatedly, then we forgot.

3.87

283

🏛️ Economic History 🏭 Industrial Policy 🏗️ State-Led Development

Concrete Economics 87%

Free markets didn't build American prosperity. Government did, repeatedly, then we forgot.

by Stephen S. Cohen 2015

3.87

283 ratings

🏛️ Economic History 🏭 Industrial Policy 🏗️ State-Led Development

Progress

by Johan Norberg • 2016

Extreme poverty fell faster in 50 years than 500. And that is not even the headline.

4.03

2k+

📈 Progress Studies 🌍 Global Development 🔍 Declinism Debunked

Progress 87%

Extreme poverty fell faster in 50 years than 500. And that is not even the headline.

by Johan Norberg 2016

4.03

2k+ ratings

📈 Progress Studies 🌍 Global Development 🔍 Declinism Debunked

The Power in the Land

by Fred Harrison • 1983

An 18-year land cycle, not interest rates, drives recessions. Economics missed it entirely.

4.13

🏗️ Land Economics 🧾 Tax Reform 📉 Business Cycles

The Power in the Land 87%

An 18-year land cycle, not interest rates, drives recessions. Economics missed it entirely.

by Fred Harrison 1983

4.13

15 ratings

🏗️ Land Economics 🧾 Tax Reform 📉 Business Cycles

Bending Adversity

by David Pilling • 2013

A forty-foot wave erased a town and revealed the hidden cracks in Japan's economic miracle.

4.09

1k+

🇯🇵 Modern Japan 💴 Japanese Economy 👥 Japanese Society

Bending Adversity 87%

A forty-foot wave erased a town and revealed the hidden cracks in Japan's economic miracle.

by David Pilling 2013

4.09

1k+ ratings

🇯🇵 Modern Japan 💴 Japanese Economy 👥 Japanese Society

Nation Building

by Andreas Wimmer • 2018

Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.

4.08

🏗️ Nation Building 🌐 Comparative Politics 🏛️ State Capacity

Nation Building 87%

Ethnic diversity doesn't predict state failure. A missing centralized state centuries ago does.

by Andreas Wimmer 2018

4.08

36 ratings

🏗️ Nation Building 🌐 Comparative Politics 🏛️ State Capacity

Breakout Nations

by Ruchir Sharma • 2012

The BRICS boom is fading. Smart money is looking at nations the world has been ignoring.

4.04

3k+

🏙️ Emerging Markets 📈 Development Economics 🌐 Global Macro

Breakout Nations 87%

The BRICS boom is fading. Smart money is looking at nations the world has been ignoring.

by Ruchir Sharma 2012

4.04

3k+ ratings

🏙️ Emerging Markets 📈 Development Economics 🌐 Global Macro

The Next American Nation

by Michael Lind • 1995

Three racial orders have governed America. The fourth has no use for race at all.

3.95

📜 American Nationalism 🏴 National Identity 🕊️ Liberal Nationalism

The Next American Nation 87%

Three racial orders have governed America. The fourth has no use for race at all.

by Michael Lind 1995

3.95

87 ratings

📜 American Nationalism 🏴 National Identity 🕊️ Liberal Nationalism

Bad Samaritans

by Ha-Joon Chang • 2007

Rich nations preach free trade. Their own history is tariffs, state planning, and stolen patents.

4.20

6k+

🏗️ Development Economics 📜 Economic History 🏭 Industrial Policy

Bad Samaritans 87%

Rich nations preach free trade. Their own history is tariffs, state planning, and stolen patents.

by Ha-Joon Chang 2007

4.20

6k+ ratings

🏗️ Development Economics 📜 Economic History 🏭 Industrial Policy

A Patriot's History of the United States

by Larry Schweikart • 2004

The conservative reply to Zinn: America's record, from Columbus to 9/11, earns its patriotism.

4.11

4k+

🇺🇸 American Exceptionalism 🦅 Patriotic History 📈 Economic History

A Patriot's History of the United States Summary

A Patriot's History of the United States 87%

The conservative reply to Zinn: America's record, from Columbus to 9/11, earns its patriotism.

by Larry Schweikart 2004

4.11

4k+ ratings

🇺🇸 American Exceptionalism 🦅 Patriotic History 📈 Economic History

Empire of Debt

by William Bonner • 2005

Empires take tribute from subjects. America borrows from them instead, and the bill is due.

3.90

332

🏛️ Sovereign Debt 🏚️ Imperial Decline 🏫 Austrian Economics

Empire of Debt 87%

Empires take tribute from subjects. America borrows from them instead, and the bill is due.

by William Bonner 2005

3.90

332 ratings

🏛️ Sovereign Debt 🏚️ Imperial Decline 🏫 Austrian Economics

The Economics of Enough

by Diane Coyle • 2011

Modern economies steal from the future, and GDP hides the theft. A blueprint for fixing both.

3.43

116

🏛️ Political Economy 🌿 Environmental Economics 📈 Sustainable Growth

The Economics of Enough 87%

Modern economies steal from the future, and GDP hides the theft. A blueprint for fixing both.

by Diane Coyle 2011

3.43

116 ratings

🏛️ Political Economy 🌿 Environmental Economics 📈 Sustainable Growth

Growth

by Daniel Susskind • 2024

Growth is recent, reversible, and destructive. The choice isn't whether to grow but how.

3.75

831

🧮 Economic Growth ⚙️ Technological Progress 🌱 Degrowth Debate

Growth 87%

Growth is recent, reversible, and destructive. The choice isn't whether to grow but how.

by Daniel Susskind 2024

3.75

831 ratings

🧮 Economic Growth ⚙️ Technological Progress 🌱 Degrowth Debate

The Shadow Market

by Eric J. Weiner • 2011

State-run investment funds now control trillions and steer the global economy from the shadows.

4.00

🏛️ Sovereign Wealth Funds 🌐 Global Finance ⚖️ Economic Power Shifts

The Shadow Market 87%

State-run investment funds now control trillions and steer the global economy from the shadows.

by Eric J. Weiner 2011

4.00

2 ratings

🏛️ Sovereign Wealth Funds 🌐 Global Finance ⚖️ Economic Power Shifts

Ignited Minds

by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam • 2002

Turn India's one billion minds into a superpower: a scientist-president's manifesto.

4.03

12k+

🏗️ Nation-Building 🔬 Scientific Temper 💡 Knowledge Economy

Ignited Minds 87%

Turn India's one billion minds into a superpower: a scientist-president's manifesto.

by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam 2002

4.03

12k+ ratings

🏗️ Nation-Building 🔬 Scientific Temper 💡 Knowledge Economy

Brazil Is the New America

by James Dale Davidson • 2012

The math of debt, energy, and demography says the American era ends and Brazil's begins.

3.17

📉 National Decline 🌍 Emerging Markets 🛢️ Peak Oil

Brazil Is the New America 87%

The math of debt, energy, and demography says the American era ends and Brazil's begins.

by James Dale Davidson 2012

3.17

36 ratings

📉 National Decline 🌍 Emerging Markets 🛢️ Peak Oil

Gambling on Development

by Stefan Dercon • 2022

Elite bets on growth, not aid or policy, explain why some nations prosper and others stall.

4.02

275

🏗️ Development Economics ⚖️ Political Economy 🏛️ State Capacity

Gambling on Development 87%

Elite bets on growth, not aid or policy, explain why some nations prosper and others stall.

by Stefan Dercon 2022

4.02

275 ratings

🏗️ Development Economics ⚖️ Political Economy 🏛️ State Capacity

First Principles

by John Brian Taylor • 2012

America's prosperity was built on five economic principles. Then it abandoned every one of them.

3.67

105

🏦 Monetary Policy 💰 Fiscal Policy 🗽 Economic Freedom

First Principles 87%

America's prosperity was built on five economic principles. Then it abandoned every one of them.

by John Brian Taylor 2012

3.67

105 ratings

🏦 Monetary Policy 💰 Fiscal Policy 🗽 Economic Freedom

The Storm Before the Calm

by George Friedman • 2020

Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.

4.05

3k+

🏛️ American Political History 🔄 Cyclical History 🌪️ Crisis And Renewal

The Storm Before the Calm 87%

Every eighty years America's government breaks; every fifty, its economy. Now both arrive at once.

by George Friedman 2020

4.05

3k+ ratings

🏛️ American Political History 🔄 Cyclical History 🌪️ Crisis And Renewal

The Real Crash

by Peter D. Schiff • 2012

America's recovery is a debt-fueled illusion. The 2008 crash was merely the preview.

3.88

1k+

🏫 Austrian Economics 💵 Monetary Policy 🥇 Gold Standard

The Real Crash 87%

America's recovery is a debt-fueled illusion. The 2008 crash was merely the preview.

by Peter D. Schiff 2012

3.88

1k+ ratings

🏫 Austrian Economics 💵 Monetary Policy 🥇 Gold Standard

The Rational Optimist

by Matt Ridley • 2010

Trade, not genius, drives human progress. Two centuries of data, and why the pessimists always lose.

3.97

14k+

🤝 Free Trade 📜 Economic History 🌟 Human Progress

The Rational Optimist 87%

Trade, not genius, drives human progress. Two centuries of data, and why the pessimists always lose.

by Matt Ridley 2010

3.97

14k+ ratings

🤝 Free Trade 📜 Economic History 🌟 Human Progress

Grave New World

by Stephen D. King • 2017

Globalization collapsed once. History shows it is collapsing again.

3.66

227

🌐 Globalization 🌍 Geopolitics 📢 Populism

Grave New World 87%

Globalization collapsed once. History shows it is collapsing again.

by Stephen D. King 2017

3.66

227 ratings

🌐 Globalization 🌍 Geopolitics 📢 Populism

The Entrepreneurial State

by Mariana Mazzucato • 2011

The state funded the tech inside every iPhone. The private sector took the credit.

3.94

3k+

🏛️ Innovation Policy 🧬 Technology History 💰 Public Funding

The Entrepreneurial State 86%

The state funded the tech inside every iPhone. The private sector took the credit.

by Mariana Mazzucato 2011

3.94

3k+ ratings

🏛️ Innovation Policy 🧬 Technology History 💰 Public Funding

The Rise and Fall of American Growth

by Robert J. Gordon • 2016

Indoor plumbing, electricity, and the car transformed daily life in ways the internet never will.

4.18

2k+

🏛️ Economic History 🇺🇸 American Economy ⚙️ Technological Change

The Rise and Fall of American Growth Summary

The Rise and Fall of American Growth 86%

Indoor plumbing, electricity, and the car transformed daily life in ways the internet never will.

by Robert J. Gordon 2016

4.18

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Economic History 🇺🇸 American Economy ⚙️ Technological Change

The Globalization Paradox

by Dani Rodrik • 2010

The case for why global markets must sometimes give way to the voting booth.

4.00

2k+

🏛️ Political Economy 📋 Trade Policy 🌍 Development Economics

The Globalization Paradox 86%

The case for why global markets must sometimes give way to the voting booth.

by Dani Rodrik 2010

4.00

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Political Economy 📋 Trade Policy 🌍 Development Economics

The Growth Map

by Jim O'Neill • 2011

Four giant economies already power a third of global growth, and the next wave is bigger.

3.59

288

🗺️ Global Macroeconomics 📈 Emerging Markets Investing 👥 Demographic Economics

The Growth Map 86%

Four giant economies already power a third of global growth, and the next wave is bigger.

by Jim O'Neill 2011

3.59

288 ratings

🗺️ Global Macroeconomics 📈 Emerging Markets Investing 👥 Demographic Economics

When the Money Runs Out

by Stephen D. King • 2013

Western prosperity was a loan, not a promise. The stagnation now is structural, not a phase.

3.63

206

📉 Economic Stagnation ⚖️ Global Imbalances 💸 Financial Crises

When the Money Runs Out 86%

Western prosperity was a loan, not a promise. The stagnation now is structural, not a phase.

by Stephen D. King 2013

3.63

206 ratings

📉 Economic Stagnation ⚖️ Global Imbalances 💸 Financial Crises

The Deficit Myth

by Stephanie Kelton • 2020

A currency issuer never runs out of money. The real spending limit is inflation, not debt.

4.02

10k+

💵 Modern Monetary Theory 📊 Fiscal Policy 💸 Deficit Spending

The Deficit Myth 86%

A currency issuer never runs out of money. The real spending limit is inflation, not debt.

by Stephanie Kelton 2020

4.02

10k+ ratings

💵 Modern Monetary Theory 📊 Fiscal Policy 💸 Deficit Spending

Common Sense

by Joel Greenblatt • 2020

The same incentive logic that picks stocks can fix schools, wages, and banks.

3.65

276

🏛️ Economic Policy 📚 Education Reform 💡 Market-Based Solutions

Common Sense 86%

The same incentive logic that picks stocks can fix schools, wages, and banks.

by Joel Greenblatt 2020

3.65

276 ratings

🏛️ Economic Policy 📚 Education Reform 💡 Market-Based Solutions

The Road to Ruin

by James Rickards • 2016

The next financial crisis is scripted: a global currency switch, and gold is the escape hatch.

4.05

1k+

🌐 Global Finance 💥 Financial Crises 🏦 Monetary Policy

The Road to Ruin 86%

The next financial crisis is scripted: a global currency switch, and gold is the escape hatch.

by James Rickards 2016

4.05

1k+ ratings

🌐 Global Finance 💥 Financial Crises 🏦 Monetary Policy

The Breaking Point

by James Dale Davidson • 2016

Energy built the modern economy. The surplus is going away. The debt cannot survive it.

3.57

🏦 Financial Crises 💵 Monetary History ⚡ Energy Economics

The Breaking Point 86%

Energy built the modern economy. The surplus is going away. The debt cannot survive it.

by James Dale Davidson 2016

3.57

42 ratings

🏦 Financial Crises 💵 Monetary History ⚡ Energy Economics

Kaput

by Wolfgang Münchau • 2006

Germany's economic miracle is over, and the model that built it is what killed it.

4.01

2k+

🏭 Industrial Policy 💰 Fiscal Austerity 📦 Export-Led Growth

Kaput 86%

Germany's economic miracle is over, and the model that built it is what killed it.

by Wolfgang Münchau 2006

4.01

2k+ ratings

🏭 Industrial Policy 💰 Fiscal Austerity 📦 Export-Led Growth

FAKE

by Robert T. Kiyosaki • 2019

What to own when currency is debt, schools teach obedience, and the middle class gets poorer.

3.71

1k+

📚 Financial Literacy 🏗️ Wealth Building 💸 Passive Income

FAKE 86%

What to own when currency is debt, schools teach obedience, and the middle class gets poorer.

by Robert T. Kiyosaki 2019

3.71

1k+ ratings

📚 Financial Literacy 🏗️ Wealth Building 💸 Passive Income

A Simple Government

by Mike Huckabee • 2011

A former governor's plan for a government that does less, costs less, and meddles less.

3.73

302

🐘 American Conservatism 🏛️ Federalism 💰 Fiscal Conservatism

A Simple Government 86%

A former governor's plan for a government that does less, costs less, and meddles less.

by Mike Huckabee 2011

3.73

302 ratings

🐘 American Conservatism 🏛️ Federalism 💰 Fiscal Conservatism

Paper Soldiers

by Saleha Mohsin • 2024

Treasury secretaries turned the dollar into a weapon. Now the world is engineering its replacement.

3.68

256

🏛️ Financial History 💵 Reserve Currency ⚔️ Economic Warfare

Paper Soldiers 86%

Treasury secretaries turned the dollar into a weapon. Now the world is engineering its replacement.

by Saleha Mohsin 2024

3.68

256 ratings

🏛️ Financial History 💵 Reserve Currency ⚔️ Economic Warfare

Capitalist Nigger

by Chika A. Onyeani • 2000

Economic dependency is the new slavery. The cure: become the kind of predator capitalism rewards.

3.59

477

🧱 Black Conservatism 🔗 Racial Capitalism 🌍 Postcolonial Economics

Capitalist Nigger 86%

Economic dependency is the new slavery. The cure: become the kind of predator capitalism rewards.

by Chika A. Onyeani 2000

3.59

477 ratings

🧱 Black Conservatism 🔗 Racial Capitalism 🌍 Postcolonial Economics

The Economics of Development & Planning

by M.L. Jhingan • 2014

Growth is just a number. Development remakes institutions, technology, and human capital at once.

3.86

271

🌍 Development Economics 📋 Economic Planning 💰 Capital Formation

The Economics of Development & Planning Summary

The Economics of Development & Planning 86%

Growth is just a number. Development remakes institutions, technology, and human capital at once.

by M.L. Jhingan 2014

3.86

271 ratings

🌍 Development Economics 📋 Economic Planning 💰 Capital Formation

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