Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty – Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson

Why Nations Fail is a landmark work that explores why some nations achieve prosperity while others remain trapped in poverty. Economists Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson argue that inclusive institutions—those that allow broad participation, secure property rights, and fair rules—are key to sustained growth, while extractive institutions serve only narrow elites and ultimately lead to failure. Blending history, economics, and politics from ancient Rome to modern China, this book offers a powerful framework for understanding global inequality and the role of institutions in shaping human destinies.