In "Left Behind," economist Paul Collier dives into the complex economic struggles of neglected regions, highlighting how many impoverished communities persist not only in the poorest countries but within the wealthiest ones as well. Collier brings a bold perspective on how current economic policies fail to bridge the ever-widening gap between thriving urban centers and regions left on the margins.

Collier's central argument is that the mainstream belief in market forces has left these vulnerable areas underserved. He contends that the hands-off, centralized approach of many Western economies does little to uplift impoverished communities, instead widening economic divides. Through real-world examples and data analysis, Collier outlines how the global economy’s one-size-fits-all growth model misses the mark. Rather than relying solely on market dynamics, he proposes a more region-specific, holistic approach that draws from diverse fields like behavioral psychology, evolutionary biology, and even moral philosophy. Looking at case studies of post-industrial cities in the US and UK, he illustrates how disconnected policies from afar ignore local needs. He advocates for granting local leaders greater authority in shaping economic policy because they are in the best position to address their communities’ strengths and vulnerabilities.

While "Left Behind" is undoubtedly thought-provoking, it's a bit academic, demanding a solid understanding of economics to fully grasp Collier’s analysis. It might not be the most accessible book for the average reader. But it's worth recognizing that real progress will require moving beyond traditional market solutions.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I love reading economics books and seeing what the perspectives of others are on topics with the world and their views on issues and what should be focused on more.

This is a great read! Thank you to Netgalley, PublicAffairs and Paul Collier for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy of this book!

I have long appreciated Paul Collier’s approach to economics, and willingness to challenge the status quo in favor of ideas that promote a more equal world. Left Behind is an interesting book that builds on many of his previous ideas (like The Bottom Billion), shining a spotlight on not just the poorest countries in the world, but regions within nations that have little opportunity and high rates of poverty.

Left Behind is filled with illustrative examples and case studies that highlight Collier’s three-pronged approach to supporting vulnerable communities. I really appreciated the emphasis on giving agency to local leaders who have the best understanding what their people excel at, and where they need investment more than outside groups, or international institutions which often act paternalistically. I don’t think a degree in economics is needed to read Left Behind, but I do think a basic understanding of macroeconomics is helpful. I don’t necessarily think this title should be pushed as someone’s first foray into popular economics, but as supplementary material.

I think many readers will appreciate the time Collier spends on left behind regions in both the US and the UK. He unpacks the impacts of COVID on these communities, as well as how widening economic gaps have fueled political actions like Brexit and Trump. I would have liked to see more explanation on how we can and should integrate developing high-income communities into our discussions of international development, particularly when we are proposing similar strategies in very low-income countries.

While I agree with many of the main economic principles in this book, I anticipate that critics will try and poke holes at his theory of taking risks, arguing that there are too many variables (i.e. natural disasters, famine, etc.), or not enough resources to go around. Perhaps the largest takeaway for me, and one that I hope will get taken up in the general dialogue, is our failure to measure widening gaps in left behind places. Simply changing our measurements and pointing to our successes does little for communities that are actively backtracking. It’s not enough to leave the invisible hand of the market to bring poor communities to prosperity, we need new ideas, and I hope this book helps influence new conversations.

This was like reading required texts in an academic setting. Wonderful for some and very educational but not enjoyable, but it is not an enjoyable subject by any means. You aren't supposed to like global policy. I am glad this book exists and I am glad I got the opportunity to read it.

Paul Collier has written the economics version of “Good to Great” and “Built to Last” by comparing nations of similar starting points and their divergent results. Not only does he review the statistics of the US, Great Britain, Denmark, Norway but also Singapore, Tanzania, Malawi and so on. How the author compares the economic and cultural policies of nation-states is a methodology he also uses to compare the resulting prosperity and resilience of cities and companies (Toyota vs GM in the 2000s, e.g.). Collier’s broad experience and research refutes Friedman’s orthodoxy that has reigned for nearly five decades in economics. Unlike another book being published this year under the guise of common sense, Collier demonstrates how tax policies, industrialization, inclusion/unity, urbanization, use of mining revenues and socioeconomic behaviors combine to create winners or losers.

At times the book is confusing as it seems to argue with itself, but I think it’s revealing just onerous the capture of multiple influences and factors can be. Sometimes there can be a few broad generalizations of a nation’s governmental intent or motivations, or the motivations of millions of people as a group.

I highly recommend this book for policy wonks, government leaders who want to search for ways to create long-term success for their communities.

Paul Collier offers a compelling examination of global poverty. With a blend of academic depth and accessible writing, Collier explores the economic, social, and political factors perpetuating inequality. He argues for a nuanced approach to development, emphasizing investment in infrastructure, education, and governance. This thought-provoking book challenges conventional wisdom and advocates for tailored solutions to address the root causes of poverty. It's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding and tackling the complexities of global development.