Left Behind

A New Economics for Neglected Places

By: Paul Collier

Narrated by: Peter Noble

From the bestselling author of The Bottom Billion, the fate of the poorest regions of the world–some of which exist in the richest nations–is examined.

Using examples of the “left behind” regions, renowned development economist Paul Collier shows that centralized western economies have been the most ineffective to alleviate poverty—even if nationally the country seems to be growing.

In Left Behind, Collier examines how the assumption that any impoverished area will find a way to progress through market forces has devastated nations all over the world.

With keen insight, he draws lessons from such disparate fields as behavioral psychology, evolutionary biology, and moral philosophy to explain how we can adapt to the needs of individual economies in order to build a brighter and fairer global future.

Critic reviews

"Paul Collier shows how centralized authority and economic orthodoxy have hollowed out communities and deepened the divide between prosperous and neglected places. Ranging across politics, economics, and moral philosophy, he offers a compelling vision for renewal. This tour de force book points the way to a political economy of shared prosperity and common purpose."—MICHAEL J. SANDEL, AUTHOR OF THE TYRANNY OF MERIT

"Being left behind is a curse on people, places, and even whole countries. Paul Collier brings his astonishing range of global experiences and interdisciplinary knowledge to forge a guidebook for catching up. He challenges the belief that the market is a trustworthy remedy and catalogues the many collective strategies that have worked in the past and can work again. Great wisdom lies herein."—SIR ANGUS DEATON, NOBEL LAUREATE FOR ECONOMIC SCIENCES

"Paul Collier has written another brilliant, must-read book for anyone interested in human progress. I greatly enjoyed this book, you will too."—BARONESS DAMBISA MOYO, AUTHOR OF DEAD AID

"Brilliant, orthodoxy-upending …this book is a compelling and practical manifesto for a better future. It is not only required reading but demands action."—ANDY HALDANE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS

"Another tour de force from the acclaimed author of The Bottom Billion. Reading the book left me with a sense of optimism and hope that those who get left behind need not stay that way."—NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION