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False Economy
An important book for turbulent times-an accessible and engaging economic history of the world, by a leading economic writer.
Alan Beattie has long been intrigued by the fates of different countries, economies, and societies-why some fail and some succeed. Here, he weaves together elements of economics, history, politics, and human stories, revealing that societies, economies, and countries usually make concrete choices that determine their destinies. He opens up larger questions about these choices, and why countries make them or are driven to make them, and what those decisions can mean for the future of our global economy.
Economic history involves forcing together disciplines that fall naturally in different directions. But Beattie has written a lively and lucid book that successfully marries the two subjects and illustrates their interdependence. In doing so, he addresses such illuminating queries as: Why are oil and diamonds more trouble than they are worth? Why did Argentina fail and the United States succeed? Why doesn't Africa grow cocaine?
"False Economy" explains how human beings have shaped their own fates, however unknowingly, and the conditions of the countries they call home. And though it is history, it does not end with the present day. Beattie shows how decisions that are being made now-which have either absorbed or failed to absorb the lessons from economic history-will determine what happens in the future. What does economic history teach us about the present economic unrest? Who will succeed and why? And who will fail? These are questions that we cannot afford to leave unasked . . . or unanswered.
Alan Beattie has long been intrigued by the fates of different countries, economies, and societies-why some fail and some succeed. Here, he weaves together elements of economics, history, politics, and human stories, revealing that societies, economies, and countries usually make concrete choices that determine their destinies. He opens up larger questions about these choices, and why countries make them or are driven to make them, and what those decisions can mean for the future of our global economy.
Economic history involves forcing together disciplines that fall naturally in different directions. But Beattie has written a lively and lucid book that successfully marries the two subjects and illustrates their interdependence. In doing so, he addresses such illuminating queries as: Why are oil and diamonds more trouble than they are worth? Why did Argentina fail and the United States succeed? Why doesn't Africa grow cocaine?
"False Economy" explains how human beings have shaped their own fates, however unknowingly, and the conditions of the countries they call home. And though it is history, it does not end with the present day. Beattie shows how decisions that are being made now-which have either absorbed or failed to absorb the lessons from economic history-will determine what happens in the future. What does economic history teach us about the present economic unrest? Who will succeed and why? And who will fail? These are questions that we cannot afford to leave unasked . . . or unanswered.
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Published April 16, 2009
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About the author
Alan Beattie
21 books10 followersAlan Beattie is the World Trade Editor of the Financial Times, leading the paper’s coverage of trade policy and economic globalisation.
Previous positions with the paper include economics leader writer, commenting on a wide variety of international and domestic economic issues in the editorial column, and two years in Washington DC as chief US economics correspondent, covering the US economy, the Federal Reserve and international economics and development, including the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
Alan Beattie Joined the Financial Times in 1998 after working as an economist at the Bank of England.
He holds a Master's degree in Economics from Cambridge and a BA from Oxford in Modern History.
- EOCD Forum 2007
Previous positions with the paper include economics leader writer, commenting on a wide variety of international and domestic economic issues in the editorial column, and two years in Washington DC as chief US economics correspondent, covering the US economy, the Federal Reserve and international economics and development, including the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
Alan Beattie Joined the Financial Times in 1998 after working as an economist at the Bank of England.
He holds a Master's degree in Economics from Cambridge and a BA from Oxford in Modern History.
- EOCD Forum 2007
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