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The Great Surge: The Ascent of the Developing World
The untold story of the global “Powerful, lucid, and revelatory, The Great Surge …offers indispensable prescriptions about sustaining global economic progress into the future” (George Soros, chairman of Soros Fund Management).
We live today at a time of great progress for the global poor. Never before have so many people, in so many developing countries, made so much progress, in so short a time in reducing poverty, increasing incomes, improving health, reducing conflict and war, and spreading democracy.
Most people believe the that with a few exceptions like China and India, the majority of developing countries are hopelessly mired in deep poverty, led by inept dictators, and have little hope for change. But a major transformation is underway—and has been for two decades now. Since the early 1990s more than 700 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, six million fewer children die every year from disease, tens of millions more girls are in school, millions more people have access to clean water, and democracy—often fragile and imperfect—has become the norm in developing countries around the world.
“A terrific book” (Nick Kristof, The New York Times ), The Great Surge chronicles this unprecedented economic, social, and political transformation. It shows how the end of the Cold War, the development of new technologies, globalization, and courageous local leadership have combined to improve the fate of hundreds of millions of people in poor countries around the world. Most importantly, The Great Surge reveals how we can accelerate the progress.
We live today at a time of great progress for the global poor. Never before have so many people, in so many developing countries, made so much progress, in so short a time in reducing poverty, increasing incomes, improving health, reducing conflict and war, and spreading democracy.
Most people believe the that with a few exceptions like China and India, the majority of developing countries are hopelessly mired in deep poverty, led by inept dictators, and have little hope for change. But a major transformation is underway—and has been for two decades now. Since the early 1990s more than 700 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, six million fewer children die every year from disease, tens of millions more girls are in school, millions more people have access to clean water, and democracy—often fragile and imperfect—has become the norm in developing countries around the world.
“A terrific book” (Nick Kristof, The New York Times ), The Great Surge chronicles this unprecedented economic, social, and political transformation. It shows how the end of the Cold War, the development of new technologies, globalization, and courageous local leadership have combined to improve the fate of hundreds of millions of people in poor countries around the world. Most importantly, The Great Surge reveals how we can accelerate the progress.
368 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 18, 2015
A brilliant analysis of the data concerning developing nations as opposed to the fictionalized headlines from news sites around the world.
If readers are interested in learning how and why over 1 billion people in the developing world have been raised out of extreme poverty this book answers that question.
Highly Recommended
5 out of 5 stars.
If readers are interested in learning how and why over 1 billion people in the developing world have been raised out of extreme poverty this book answers that question.
Highly Recommended
5 out of 5 stars.
May 27, 2016
The Great Surge, by Steven Radelet is a book on the rise of the developing world. Radelet takes a triumphalist approach to developmental economics, and loudly praises the successes of foreign aid, World Bank/IMF restructuring and Green Revolution technology, among other things, as markers of success and growth in the developing world. Radelet's book, however, is not a mouthpiece for the World Bank. He offers critique with his praise, and writes a refreshingly upbeat take on developing nations.
Radelet explores a number of factors about economic growth in the developing world. He considers Green Revolution technology and land distribution as bases for successful development in many nations, including South Korea and Indonesia. This is a theory that I have seen in other books, including "How Asia Works" by Joe Studwell. Progression in combating diseases like Malaria and diarrhea are also praised in the book, with an emphasis on the involvement of US developmental agencies both government and privately run. Foreign aid itself is analyzed in some detail, and Radelet does quite a bit to praise foreign aid and discredit its more ideological criticisms. Democracy and Governance is also a major topic in "The Great Surge" with Radelet praising countries with even the slightest democratic trends, and playing down the successes of countries like China and Vietnam due to their one-party systems.
I did enjoy Radelet's book, even though it has a clear ideological agenda. It is highly praiseworthy of many US aid programs and pro-democracy groups, and market-led growth and critical of centralized state planning. He heaps praise on companies like Safari-Com and the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and often discredits the successes of nations like Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea, as well as China, for developing in centralized, state led planning techniques. Even so, Radelet checks his own bias, and offers criticisms for many of the programs he praises, albeit in an upbeat way. This book was a fun read, as it doesn't subscribe to the doom and gloom outlook that many books on development often offer.
A few other small criticism relate to his charts and sources. Radelet uses World Bank data hand over fist, and only substitutes those data sets with sources from the likes of Jeffery Sachs, Francis Fukuyama and so on. The poor amount of varied sources is a detriment to this book, which often reads like the World Banks Wikipedia page. His graphs also seem suspect, as they show forecasting trendlines that are highly debatable throughout the text. He does preface this issue at the end of the book, where he offers three "future" scenarios, one where development continues on its current course (ie. market led, US funded etc.) a second where development slows due to backsliding on governance issues in developing nations, and a third where war and economic disaster loom. These forecasts seemed interesting, if a bit black and white.
All in all, I have mixed but overly positive feelings about "The Great Surge." It is an interesting and upbeat read, but is bogged down by ideological rhetoric and suspect sourcing and data. Even so, it is refreshing to read a book that isn't totally negative on foreign development, and Radelet seems to look at the world in a positive light. I would recommend this book for those looking for something refreshing to read about development economics, as this book is basic, easy to read and upbeat. However, it is not a defining text on this subject, and some of the issues in the book can be taken with a grain of salt.
Radelet explores a number of factors about economic growth in the developing world. He considers Green Revolution technology and land distribution as bases for successful development in many nations, including South Korea and Indonesia. This is a theory that I have seen in other books, including "How Asia Works" by Joe Studwell. Progression in combating diseases like Malaria and diarrhea are also praised in the book, with an emphasis on the involvement of US developmental agencies both government and privately run. Foreign aid itself is analyzed in some detail, and Radelet does quite a bit to praise foreign aid and discredit its more ideological criticisms. Democracy and Governance is also a major topic in "The Great Surge" with Radelet praising countries with even the slightest democratic trends, and playing down the successes of countries like China and Vietnam due to their one-party systems.
I did enjoy Radelet's book, even though it has a clear ideological agenda. It is highly praiseworthy of many US aid programs and pro-democracy groups, and market-led growth and critical of centralized state planning. He heaps praise on companies like Safari-Com and the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and often discredits the successes of nations like Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea, as well as China, for developing in centralized, state led planning techniques. Even so, Radelet checks his own bias, and offers criticisms for many of the programs he praises, albeit in an upbeat way. This book was a fun read, as it doesn't subscribe to the doom and gloom outlook that many books on development often offer.
A few other small criticism relate to his charts and sources. Radelet uses World Bank data hand over fist, and only substitutes those data sets with sources from the likes of Jeffery Sachs, Francis Fukuyama and so on. The poor amount of varied sources is a detriment to this book, which often reads like the World Banks Wikipedia page. His graphs also seem suspect, as they show forecasting trendlines that are highly debatable throughout the text. He does preface this issue at the end of the book, where he offers three "future" scenarios, one where development continues on its current course (ie. market led, US funded etc.) a second where development slows due to backsliding on governance issues in developing nations, and a third where war and economic disaster loom. These forecasts seemed interesting, if a bit black and white.
All in all, I have mixed but overly positive feelings about "The Great Surge." It is an interesting and upbeat read, but is bogged down by ideological rhetoric and suspect sourcing and data. Even so, it is refreshing to read a book that isn't totally negative on foreign development, and Radelet seems to look at the world in a positive light. I would recommend this book for those looking for something refreshing to read about development economics, as this book is basic, easy to read and upbeat. However, it is not a defining text on this subject, and some of the issues in the book can be taken with a grain of salt.
March 13, 2016
While published in 2015, this felt like a decades old book, in style, attitude and format. Almost exclusively the analysis relied on World Bank data, and IEA data on energy. Authors purpose was to celebrate democracy, open markets, and development aid (the "pro-growth" parts of it) on developing nations.
The graphs and charts were grievously simplistic and poorly described. Even with just World Bank data better charts could've replaced tens of pages of text, and told a better story.
Radelet doesn't know China, and a clear majority of poverty reduction over this time due to China, and even more if you include China's impact on Africa.
I'll author claims to of lived in developing countries for over 30 years, none of those personal stories are included in the book, which feels like a poor summary of many popular recent books. Not sure what the distinct purpose of this book was.
The last 20 years have indeed seen great progress in alleviating extreme poverty. Some book needs to be written truly explaining that. Part of these games are from technology and open trade. Simply, more people are able to participate, in any way, in the global economy.
Even the focus on only extreme poverty is wrong. The greatest games over the last 20 years have been in a more general empowerment of the growing global middle class.
The graphs and charts were grievously simplistic and poorly described. Even with just World Bank data better charts could've replaced tens of pages of text, and told a better story.
Radelet doesn't know China, and a clear majority of poverty reduction over this time due to China, and even more if you include China's impact on Africa.
I'll author claims to of lived in developing countries for over 30 years, none of those personal stories are included in the book, which feels like a poor summary of many popular recent books. Not sure what the distinct purpose of this book was.
The last 20 years have indeed seen great progress in alleviating extreme poverty. Some book needs to be written truly explaining that. Part of these games are from technology and open trade. Simply, more people are able to participate, in any way, in the global economy.
Even the focus on only extreme poverty is wrong. The greatest games over the last 20 years have been in a more general empowerment of the growing global middle class.
January 18, 2016
Well worth reading. People on the political right and the left seem completely unaware of the successes that have been achieved in African nations. The right seems stuck in the position that Africans are a hopeless lot and nothing can be done for them. The left seems stuck in thinking that Africans are doomed to be perpetual victims and will never be able to compete as equals with the developed world. This book reveals the falsity of both those views.
April 15, 2016
Great overview book on just how amazing global progress since 1990 has been around the world following the defeat of communism. I little too introductory/slow for me but a great book to give to anyone moaning about the state of the world. Should be read with optimism by all effective altruists.
September 16, 2017
Dense in terms of the amount of statistics provided, but a good read to understand causes of the increased economic development, and how progress can continue.
July 12, 2018
An optimistic view of the direction of the world, backed by compelling data. Concludes by appealing to the promise of innovation by drawing on historic examples such as the Green Revolution
May 30, 2020
Steven Radelet is no doubt a intelligent man, but his approach to writing this book makes it hard to read. Each chapter follows the format of
Problem
Thesis of solution
Data of problem
Data of solution
Summary of Thesis
The end result is a repetitive book where only every fourth paragraph is necessary to read.
Moving past the format, the content was good solid content. The claims he made are reasonable and backed with evidence. He presents his conclusions as well as counterarguments. I learned a decent amount on the cycle that developing countries must break out of to begin the surge of economic growth.
While reading, I noticed that he dwells on democracy being the only government that has allowed such economic development that we have seen in the past 30 years. In my personal opinion this is untrue, but as I kept reading he did a phenomenal job outlining his argument and supporting it with real data. I, in turn, have changed my mind to the following...
Democracy is not the best form of government, but it is the best form of government in the world that we live in today.
Also, side note, he predicts Coronavirus. Chapter 11: The Risks to Global Health. Check it out.
Problem
Thesis of solution
Data of problem
Data of solution
Summary of Thesis
The end result is a repetitive book where only every fourth paragraph is necessary to read.
Moving past the format, the content was good solid content. The claims he made are reasonable and backed with evidence. He presents his conclusions as well as counterarguments. I learned a decent amount on the cycle that developing countries must break out of to begin the surge of economic growth.
While reading, I noticed that he dwells on democracy being the only government that has allowed such economic development that we have seen in the past 30 years. In my personal opinion this is untrue, but as I kept reading he did a phenomenal job outlining his argument and supporting it with real data. I, in turn, have changed my mind to the following...
Democracy is not the best form of government, but it is the best form of government in the world that we live in today.
Also, side note, he predicts Coronavirus. Chapter 11: The Risks to Global Health. Check it out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2020
As a classical realist who wants to be a neo-liberal, this book was quite encouraging. The study of economic development can become dominated by naysayers and Johnny Rainclouds (like me). I appreciated how Radelet takes the time to congratulate the world on the development progress that has taken hundreds of millions out of poverty between 1990-2015, created hundreds of millions of new jobs, saved countless lives through vaccines and public health work, enrolled tens of millions of young girls in schools, and grown the third world per capita GDPs by substantial percentages. This book rightly celebrates the success and studies areas of further growth. Radelet's cautious optimism about international development is a breath of fresh air.
August 9, 2020
One of the many books that explains the factors and conditions that impact economic development. For economists, it validates theories and empirical observations. To non-economists, it definitely informs!
August 7, 2018
ohhhhh why so many statistics.
February 5, 2022
This is an incredibly informative, captivating book. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
December 20, 2016
Liked the optimism in the voice of the book on the developing world, but some of the arguments were too simplistic and didn't uphold in the grand scheme of studies of developing countries.
May 31, 2016
Radelet's book is a useful corrective to the generally pessimistic state of development in the world's poorest countries. He finds that since the end of the Cold War, there has in fact been an impressive amount of progress in economic growth, democratization, health and education investments, and gender equality. However, the book lacks any real nuance and is written in only the most general terms, with agrregate indicators and broad outcomes rather than deep analysis. Too often it relies on broad truisms regarding the need for better policies, and thus it comes across as superficial. I did find the chapter on foreign aid useful as a counterpoint to Easterly, Moyo, and the others who tout the drawbacks and shortcomings of foreign aid. I also agree with his assessment of the need for GMO investment for agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, I was expecting more. It relies a little too much on an 'all good things go together' perspective rather than a look at the real tradeoffs involved in development policy choices.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews