Too Small to Fail: Why Small Nations Outperform Larger Ones and How They Are Reshaping the World

by R. James Breiding

Too Small to Fail analyzes how several successful 'small' countries, with populations under twenty million, have made a virtue out of their physical limitations. The book seeks to understand what it is they do differently, and why. What is their recipe for achieving better-educated, more egalitarian and wealthier populations? The book looks first at the forest and then the trees. It examines the characteristics shared by small countries, such as Switzerland, Ireland, Singapore, and the Scandinavian states. It draws parallels and discovers patterns shared among them that are common to each of their success stories. The book then looks at the policies of selected countries that have paved the way for remarkable improvements; and considers the individuals, corporations and institutions that have made a positive and sustainable impact. It further goes on to explain how these small countries are reshaping the World in a never before manner.

Genres: Economics, Politics

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2019

Reviews

[Mad Hab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not like the book. Not that it was bad, no. Many of my esteemed friends read it and liked it.
Just not my style. It reads like a blog post, a lot of bullet points and numbered lists, like a power point presentation but with a mass of text.

This is the second book i am reading on the nordic miracle, and still don't understand the nordic way of living and economics.

I would rate it as a 3 star, but as i said, it is not that the book is bad, it is just not my style.

[Soham Bakshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. But I think I need to read 'Why Nations Fail' after this, to understand in depth.

[Vikram · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the cover page suggests it is about the a few smart small nations like Singapore, Denmark, Israel, Switzerland, Ireland, Finland etc that are redefining what it means to be a great nation. Not all big countries are successful and not all successful countries are big.
More homogenous countries are easier to govern as is the case with smaller nations but for a country as diverse as India where the electorate is substantially diverse and more polarised, wherein each state represents a different culture sometimes altogether a new nation wherein in some states people follow their leaders as bhakts while in some, people may have little affection for their leaders, it is impossible for same laws to fit so many different communities and sectors.
Some of the most successful small nations share some common attributes like heavy reliance on foreign trade, greater exposure to new products and services and to attract talented immigrants.
With rapid developments in technology, telecommunication and transportation gaining a sway over other countries is no longer a matter of giant armies but winning trade battles and attracting professional talent and it is in these cases that smaller and nimbler countries are winning.
The book has quite a number of charts and graphs which helps to better understand the point the author is trying to make rather stating plain statistics.
After reading one would definitely want to settle in these countries where one would get home from work in time for kids, no stress about paying for their education or healthcare, safe streets,affordable housing, frequent holidays and a long life. You won't get rich but you won't need to!!
The book could be a bit boring at times and there are other sides of the arguments as well! However some of the chapters are very insightful and interesting!

[Nejc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights into successful nations and a compelling narrative. However, I felt some information presented about Switzerland were slightly basic if not incorrect. This made me question credibility of other countries’ accounts.

[Quiver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Data-full, provides approval-evincing arguments, strays into cliched phrasing on occasion. It'd be interesting to see how it holds up under critical evaluation by the real world.

[Dorothy PYelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Important Book for Country Leaders, I have been suggesting it to those who like books which educate, inform, and provoke thought.

[Zein Sleiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opener to how small countries excel against odds and arrive the future first. Throughout reading this book, I’ve had my country, Lebanon, in mind. Couldn’t avoid the sense of disappointment and how much learnings could be grabbed from TSTF countries. Unfortunately, the book has helped me in finding the root cause: zero social cohesion; a key pillar for a successful prosperous country.

[Arnav Bhardwaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting insights into the economics of small nations

[Arkam Frz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating stories of small countries which are doing incredibly well in selected fields.