I had really high hopes for this book, but I was very disappointed. The book seeks to describe the key thoughts and influences of 20 of the most imporI had really high hopes for this book, but I was very disappointed. The book seeks to describe the key thoughts and influences of 20 of the most important classical economists. Firstly, the book comes across as very unstructured. It would have been helpful with a clearer division between their actual thoughts and how more modern economists have interpreted them in new ways. Secondly, the books leans a lot on secondary literature which gives a feeling that I might as well have read those books instead. Schumpeter for one, is quoted 13 times throughout the book.
There is so much potential in the topic, but the execution is below expectations. I've given it two stars rather than one due to the admittedly thorough research. There is clearly a good intention behind the mix of topics, but the flow really suffers....more
A lot of intriguing ideas and concepts. While I will probably never agree fully with Piketty, understanding the history and trajectory of countries anA lot of intriguing ideas and concepts. While I will probably never agree fully with Piketty, understanding the history and trajectory of countries and regions does indeed help explain the current political environments.
Many of the analyses are based on views that are inherently subjective. The data doesn't prove the views right or wrong but describes a development objectively. The missing piece in the book is the human. What happens to the human if you tax him/her 100%? Will they contribute to society in the same way? Who should ensure the appropriate governance of companies of voting power is capped? Nowadays, governance is more important than ever.
The psychological and motivational aspects about being are missing. But maybe that is a logical conclusion when Piketty describes the society of the academic and elitist left where a theoretical understanding of money allocation matters more than experience and pragmatism....more
Puts words to a concept that I would have loved to see described this clearly much earlier. The necessity of going through a particular developmental Puts words to a concept that I would have loved to see described this clearly much earlier. The necessity of going through a particular developmental stage to go to the next is a concept that can be applied so much more broadly in life to improve the understanding of individuals, communities, and societies....more
The first book for me on comparative mythology. A lot of interesting insights, even though I find the book to have too much detail on the individual mThe first book for me on comparative mythology. A lot of interesting insights, even though I find the book to have too much detail on the individual myths. No need to repeatedly quote the myths themselves to highlight the point....more
The books is filled with interesting insights and gave me a number of eureka moments while reading it. Can be too elaborative at times when the pointsThe books is filled with interesting insights and gave me a number of eureka moments while reading it. Can be too elaborative at times when the points are already clear between the lines. Too much repetition from time to time....more
An excellent depiction of developments in wealth distribution. The sheer amount of data and analyses would warrant a higher rating.
I've given the booAn excellent depiction of developments in wealth distribution. The sheer amount of data and analyses would warrant a higher rating.
I've given the book a very modest rating based on two things: 1) the main topic of the books is inequality, but the question of why equality is a problem is never handled. It's simply taken for granted throughout the book that it's a problem, despite the proclivity to draw conclusions on philosophical grounds for other parts of the book. 2) Many conclusions are drawn without grounds in data or extensive argumentation, but rather because they are "the most just option" or similar. The data is used excellently to show correlations but there is no focus on causality. Most causalities is derived from very lose statements. For a book that opens by describing how it will finally use data to answer some profound questions, the data is used remarkably rarely in the actual conclusions.
To be fair, the problem with conclusions on economics is that they are policy suggestions which is inherently based on ethics and moral. An introductory chapter on this would have been appropriate.
Hat tip for making the book very easy to read even for people with no background in economics (I would imagine). The flip side of that is, however, that there are a lot of pages that are unnecessary for readers with - even a little - prior experience with economics....more
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