by Paul Collier
First published 2018
Capitalism faces deep fractures that threaten Western societies. Cities prosper while rural areas decline. Educated elites pull away from working populations. Wealthy nations advance as developing countries lag behind. Economist Paul Collier argues these growing divides have destroyed the ethical bonds that once held post-war democracies together. Populist movements and socialist revivals have filled the void, producing Trump, Brexit, and far-right resurgence in Germany. Collier draws on his personal journey from working-class Sheffield to Oxford's academic heights, plus decades working between Britain and Africa. He admits his profession bears some responsibility for current problems. The author presents concrete solutions gathered from leading social scientists worldwide. Rather than embracing ideological extremes, he charts pragmatic paths forward. Collier shows how capitalism can heal its own wounds through economic, social, and cultural reforms that restore shared obligation between citizens.
Genres: business, political-science, economics, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-journey, pragmatic-approach
Setting: Oxford, Sheffield, Britain, Africa
Period: Post-War
256 pages · Hardcover · Harper