Prosperity and Violence: The Political Economy of Development

by Robert H. Bates

Prosperity & Violence considers the history of human civilization and explains the origins of the modern state, focusing on the evolution of capitalism as cultures move from dispersed agrarian clans to the dense modern metropolis. Informed by firsthand experience with the political and economic development of many diverse cultures, Bates demonstrates how successful modern states harness ethnic diversity for prosperity rather than for violence and political power. Brief and compelling, Prosperity & Violence is certain to be an excellent supplement in any comparative politics course.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Economics, History, Political Science, Academic, College

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Robert Hinrichs Bates (born 1942) is an American political scientist. He is Eaton Professor of the Science of Government in the Departments of Government and African and African American Studies at Harvard University. From 2000-2012, he served as Professeur associe, School of Economics, University of Toulouse.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those key texts in political economy and economic history. It advances a theory of coevolution of institutions that support economic growth. Of course the focus is on why market economics emerged in Europe and England and how it was intertwined with the political institutions that developed along with it. The book then turns to the question of development in the Third World. There is a lot of literature that reasons analogically from Tilly's theory of state formation to say that the civil wars of the Third World are merely a process of state consolidation and will settle down into a stable configuration of states eventually (for example, Mohammad Ayoob has advocated this position). Bates says, not so fast. The reason is that international institutions (e.g., humanitarian intervention, peacekeeping, etc.) and political inversion (e.g., kleptocratic elites) actually work against that outcome.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheat sheet for the history of global economic development and an entertaing read to boot.

[Libby]

Yes this was for uni but it was a whole damn book so it counts

[Marcus Dupuy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers an interesting perspective on how war and conflict drives the development of economic institutions as well as how conflict is intertwined with economic development and practices.

However, while there are numerous cases where Bates model works, I feel what this model is really missing is an analyse of why certain systems result in this outcome. I also feel that Bates can tend to oversimplify a lot of dynamics relating to pre-industrial Europe and often tends to attribute a lot of mechanisms to the ruling elite/monarchs in charge, mechanisms that I am not sure were the result of their actions.

I am only a student so take what I have to say with a grain of salt but overall, the areas where this model work, work extremely well. I would have liked to see Bates discuss why certain systems did not develop in this way despite meeting the requisite conditions.

[Seth Wilpan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prosperity and Violence offers a surprisingly potent evocation of world political history for such a slender volume. The author makes no moral judgment about violence, but treats is matter-of-factly as a given aspect of human behavior. He presents the evidence that when affairs are conducted with any semblance of intelligence, peaceful processes are the most effective means for achieving prosperity. Unfortunately, he could not account for the current batch of deranged, suicidal plutocrats.

[Viet Hung · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book to read. The first quarter of this semester can be thoroughly explained by the book. Definitely a recommendation for Comparative Politics students

[Stirling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but way too general. A nice introduction

[Silje Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First lecture, and an entire book on the readings :)) Liked it tho

[gideon · Rating 3 out of 5]

read through chapter 3 for class

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read. i think it was too short and a lot of the claims could have been more developed and exemplified. but great connection between prosperity and violence, the economy and war, etc etc.

[Lars · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just reread this; it is a quick read about how societies develop economically, and how that depends on some group having a monopoly on violence. It is pretty short, so not too much of a burden. Good examples from the authors work in Africa.

[Anth]

monopolies on violence

[Brandon Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

required reading for my undergrad, still interesting none the less.

[Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bates writes about how countries developed in the past, and how currently developing countries parallel them. Good book, and it's short.

[Mills College Library]

338.9 B3297 2010

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Not a novel idea but done well I think and enjoyable read

[Steven Zulim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid glimpse into classical linear development theory. To the point and especially useful for Western history. Hardly a standalone book.