Wars, Guns, and Votes
Democracy in Dangerous Places
by Paul Collier · first published 2009
100% recommend
Wars, Guns, and Votes, Paul Collier investigates the violence and poverty in the small, remote countries at the lowest level of the world economy. An esteemed economist and a foremost authority on developing countries, Collier argues that the spread of elections and peace settlements in the world's most dangerous countries may lead to a brave new democratic world. In the meantime, though, nasty and long civil wars, military coups, and failing economies are the order of the day — for now and into the foreseeable future.Through innovative research and astute analysis, Collier gives an eye-openin
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…World until Yesterday" by Jared Diamond. "The Retreat To Commitment" by W. W. Bartley. "The Myth of the Rational Voter" by Bryan Caplan. Despite the name it made me appreciate democracy a lot more. "Wars, Guns, and Votes" by Paul Collier.
on “Ask HN: What is the most mind blowing book you've ever read?” ↗…democracy goes from making a country less stable to making it more stable and I've actually forgotten exactly what the level was but China will be past it soon if it isn't already. I really have to re-read Wars, Guns, and Votes.
on “China Bans the Word 'Leica' on Social Media” ↗Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. A sad story about a guy named Zeitoun in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Wars, Guns, and Votes: Democracy in Dangerous Places by Paul Collier. Someone smart thinks about how to move failed states toward democracy in such a way that it sticks. Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama. A good memoir,…
on “Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009?” ↗A few good reads on the topic are F. Fukuyama "Trust: Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity" and P. Collier "The bottom Billion" and "Wars, Guns and Votes: Democracy in Dangerous Places".
on “China Is Already Blocking Google+” ↗