Ebook351 pages8 hours
The Power of Productivity: Wealth, Poverty, and the Threat to Global Stability
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
The disparity between rich and poor countries is the most serious, intractable problem facing the world today. The chronic poverty of many nations affects more than the citizens and economies of those nations; it threatens global stability as the pressures of immigration become unsustainable and rogue nations seek power and influence through extreme political and terrorist acts. To address this tenacious poverty, a vast array of international institutions has pumped billions of dollars into these nations in recent decades, yet despite this infusion of capital and attention, roughly five billion of the world's six billion people continue to live in poor countries. What isn't working? And how can we fix it?
The Power of Productivity provides powerful and controversial answers to these questions. William W. Lewis, the director emeritus of the McKinsey Global Institute, here draws on extensive microeconomic studies of thirteen nations over twelve years—conducted by the Institute itself—to counter virtually all prevailing wisdom about how best to ameliorate economic disparity. Lewis's research, which included studying everything from state-of-the-art auto makers to black-market street vendors and mom-and-pop stores, conclusively demonstrates that, contrary to popular belief, providing more capital to poor nations is not the best way to help them. Nor is improving levels of education, exchange-rate flexibility, or government solvency enough. Rather, the key to improving economic conditions in poor countries, argues Lewis, is increasing productivity through intense, fair competition and protecting consumer rights.
As The Power of Productivity explains, this sweeping solution affects the economies of poor nations at all levels—from the viability of major industries to how the average consumer thinks about his or her purchases. Policies must be enacted in developing nations that reflect a consumer rather than a producer mindset and an attendant sense of consumer rights. Only one force, Lewis claims, can stand up to producer special privileges—consumer interests.
The Institute's unprecedented research method and Lewis's years of experience with economic policy combine to make The Power of Productivity the most authoritative and compelling view of the global economy today, one that will inform political and economic debate throughout the world for years to come.
The Power of Productivity provides powerful and controversial answers to these questions. William W. Lewis, the director emeritus of the McKinsey Global Institute, here draws on extensive microeconomic studies of thirteen nations over twelve years—conducted by the Institute itself—to counter virtually all prevailing wisdom about how best to ameliorate economic disparity. Lewis's research, which included studying everything from state-of-the-art auto makers to black-market street vendors and mom-and-pop stores, conclusively demonstrates that, contrary to popular belief, providing more capital to poor nations is not the best way to help them. Nor is improving levels of education, exchange-rate flexibility, or government solvency enough. Rather, the key to improving economic conditions in poor countries, argues Lewis, is increasing productivity through intense, fair competition and protecting consumer rights.
As The Power of Productivity explains, this sweeping solution affects the economies of poor nations at all levels—from the viability of major industries to how the average consumer thinks about his or her purchases. Policies must be enacted in developing nations that reflect a consumer rather than a producer mindset and an attendant sense of consumer rights. Only one force, Lewis claims, can stand up to producer special privileges—consumer interests.
The Institute's unprecedented research method and Lewis's years of experience with economic policy combine to make The Power of Productivity the most authoritative and compelling view of the global economy today, one that will inform political and economic debate throughout the world for years to come.
Related to The Power of Productivity
Related ebooks
Capital and Collusion: The Political Logic of Global Economic Development Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Globalization of Chinese Companies: Strategies for Conquering International Markets Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWinning the Global Game: A Strategy for Linking People and Profits Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat Economists Do: a Journey Through the History of Economic Thought: From the Wealth of Nations to the Calculus of Consent Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRedefining Capitalism in Global Economic Development Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Invention of Enterprise: Entrepreneurship from Ancient Mesopotamia to Modern Times Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Quest for Prosperity: How Developing Economies Can Take Off - Updated Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In the Long Run We Are All Dead: Keynesianism, Political Economy, and Revolution Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Steal These Ideas!: Marketing Secrets That Will Make You a Star Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Spectacular Rise and Catastrophic Fall of Three Liberian Presidents Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Democratic Capitalism at the Crossroads: Technological Change and the Future of Politics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Moral Power of Money: Morality and Economy in the Life of the Poor Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnderstanding the Process of Economic Change Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Economic Development: The History of an Idea Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Trouble with Africa: Why Foreign Aid Isn't Working Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Great Surge: The Ascent of the Developing World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5American Big Business in Britain and Germany: A Comparative History of Two "Special Relationships" in the 20th Century Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPhilanthrocapitalism: How Giving Can Save the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In the Name of the People: How Populism is Rewiring the World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting Immigration: Scholars and Journalists in Dialogue Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe False Promise of Big Government: How Washington Helps the Rich and Hurts the Poor Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMarkets and States in Tropical Africa: The Political Basis of Agricultural Policies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bettering Humanomics: A New, and Old, Approach to Economic Science Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsState of the Future 19.1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBillions: Selling to the New Chinese Consumer Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Collaboration Challenge: How Nonprofits and Businesses Succeed through Strategic Alliances Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Industries For You
Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel Without an Outline: WMG Writer's Guides, #6 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sleight of Mouth: The Magic of Conversational Belief Change Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Agent You: Show Up, Do the Work, and Succeed on Your Own Terms Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Shopify For Dummies Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYouTube Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Following and Making Money as a Video I Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5YouTube 101: The Ultimate Guide to Start a Successful YouTube channel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Music Law: How to Run Your Band's Business Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsArtpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living From Your Creativity Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary and Analysis of The Case Against Sugar: Based on the Book by Gary Taubes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Running with Purpose: How Brooks Outpaced Goliath Competitors to Lead the Pack Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Powerhouse: The Untold Story of Hollywood's Creative Artists Agency Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Market Gardener: A Successful Grower's Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Eleventh Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary and Analysis of The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals 1: Based on the Book by Michael Pollan Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Best Story Wins: How to Leverage Hollywood Storytelling in Business & Beyond Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Deal of the Century: The Breakup of AT&T Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bad Pharma: How Drug Companies Mislead Doctors and Harm Patients Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Power of Productivity
Rating: 4.666666666666667 out of 5 stars
4.5/5
3 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A comprehensive analisys of how productivity affects the economy
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A thought-provoking report on more than a decade of research into the conditions that help and hinder the creation of wealth in rich and poor countries. It's not luck that makes America wealthy, it's good policy.
Book preview
The Power of Productivity - William W. Lewis
Enjoying the preview?
Page 1 of 1