A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2024

The globally renowned economist offers a revolutionary new perspective on inclusive prosperity. Areas that have fallen behind exist in prosperous countries, such as South Yorkshire, which was crucial for the industrial revolution and is now the poorest county in England, as well as Barranquilla, which was once Colombia's gateway to the Caribbean and is now struggling. The poorest countries in the world are now falling further away from the rest of humanity compared to the beginning of this century. Why have these areas been left behind? And what can we do about it?

Paul Collier, a world-renowned development economist, has dedicated his life to working in neglected communities. In this book, he offers his public diagnosis regarding the reasons why some areas and countries fail and a new perspective on how they can move forward. Collier places the blame for the widening inequalities on outdated economic orthodoxies that prioritize market forces for revitalizing lagging areas, as well as the arrogant, passive, and universal approach of central offices such as the UK Treasury.

Although the main message of Left Behind is hopeful: by gathering encouraging examples of recovery from around the world, Collier shows how renewal is possible through a combination of learning, ethical leadership, and local agency. With keen understanding, he draws lessons from seemingly diverse fields such as behavioral psychology, evolutionary biology, and moral philosophy to share a bold and dynamic vision for a more inclusive and prosperous world.

Pages: 304, Dimensions: 16.2x16.2cm