Left Behind: A New Economics for Neglected Places

Left Behind: A New Economics for Neglected Places by Paul Collier

The author of the book appears quite full of himself, but has a good message. Places that are not succeeding need help. The help is best when it comes within. External groups can (and should) support the process, but do so in a hands off way. Throwing dollars at a poorly functioning location can often make things worse. People do not like being told what to do. Leaders may capture benefits for themselves or create "trophies" that make things worse in the long wrong. Instead, the local groups need to adopt policies that work best for them. Aid without strings may be useful for helping implement the changes. (Though this may not be necessary.) Many of the most well-functioning egalitarian states were backwaters at one time. They suffered from many of the problems modern basket-cases do now. They may be able to There have been successful authoritarian regimes and failed democracies. Singapore has boomed through a time with a single ruler. Rwanda has gone from civil war and genocide to tourist haven. South Africa has fallen down, despite dropping apartheid and allowing global electoral participation. Each place has their own special cases and most adopt appropriately.