Culture and Prosperity: Why Some Nations Are Rich but Most Remain Poor [Paperback]

John Kay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 2005

Why are some countries rich and others poor? Why does a farmer in Sweden have a higher standard of living than a farmer in South Africa? Why does a schoolteacher in Switzerland earn more than one in Chicago? According to leading economic theorist John Kay, economic markets are key to the wealth or poverty of the world's nations. In Culture and Prosperity, Kay explores why market economies outperform socialist or centrally directed markets -- and why the imposition of market institutions often fails. His search for the truth about markets takes him from the shores of Lake Zurich to the streets of Mumbai, through theories of evolutionary psychology and moral philosophy to the flower market at San Remo and Christie's salesroom in New York.

Witty, engaging, and grounded in cutting-edge economic theory, Culture and Prosperity is essential for understanding the state of the world today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“One of the leading British economists of his generation…gives answers to those puzzling questions that nag the non-specialist.” (The Independent )

“[Kay]…delightfully…solves the mystery of why markets work and why they sometimes don’t.” (Washington Post )

“An ambitious and brilliantly executed book... accessible and witty, it sheds light on the way the world works.” (London Times )

“Written with wit and subtlety ... Kay’s book is an important contribution to the post-1990s reassessment of capitalism.” (Daily Telegraph (London) )

About the Author

John Kay is one of Britain's leading economists. He has been a professor at the London Business School and the University of Oxford, and is currently a visiting professor at the London School of Economics. He is the only professor of management to receive the academic distinction of Fellowship of the British Academy. A frequent writer, lecturer, and broadcaster, he contributes a weekly column to the Financial Times. He commutes between London, Oxfordshire, and the south of France.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: HarperBusiness (May 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060587067
• ISBN-13: 978-0060587062
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,072,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wide view of main economics topics in main street lenguage, December 28, 2008

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Tico "tech fan" (Costa Rica) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Culture and Prosperity: Why Some Nations Are Rich but Most Remain Poor (Paperback)

John Kay made a great explanation how markets works and in the process put the main issues that are in economist minds. He introduces very complex issues in day-to-day examples that put them in a simple and clear way.

I specially appreciated the good job in defend free markets and personal liberty vrs the temptation or centralisation and excess of control in state bureaucracy.

In this couragely times, when the people will believe that markets don't do their jobs , you can find how this current crisis in actually running because free markets made their job.

One important lesson from this book is that our current economy came from institutional and historic situations, and we are moving ahead. We must be optimistic and find soon how pluralism with discipline will put our society in road again.