Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty

A groundbreaking work examining why some countries are rich and others poor. The authors argue that political and economic institutions—not geography, culture, or resources—determine a nation's success or failure. Through historical analysis spanning centuries, they contrast 'inclusive' institutions that foster prosperity with 'extractive' ones that concentrate power and wealth. The book offers compelling case studies from ancient Rome to modern Zimbabwe, making a powerful case for institutional reform as the key to development.