Why read The Rise and Decline of Nations?

Book cover of The Rise and Decline of Nations: Economic Growth, Stagflation, and Social Rigidities

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"A convincing book that could make a big difference in the way we think about modern economic problems."-Peter Passell, New York Times Book Review

"Clearly, this is no ordinary theory. Equally clearly, it sprang from the mind of no ordinary economist."-James Lardner, Washington Post

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Rise and Decline of Nations as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Randall Holcombe

Author

Olson focuses on the impact of interest groups on public policy. He emphasizes the way that economic interests lobby governments to produce policies favorable to them, but at the expense of the general public. Interests lobby for subsidies, tax breaks, trade barriers to protect them from foreign competition, regulatory barriers to inhibit domestic competitors, and more. Over time, the connection between interest groups and policymakers strengthens, so that increasingly, profits are the result of political connections rather than producing value for consumers. The growth of interest group influence over time leads to the decline of nations.

From Randall's list on voter preferences and democratic decision-making.