The Tyranny of Experts: Economists, Dictators, and the Forgotten Rights of the Poor

By William Easterly

Categories: Business & Money, Politics & Social Sciences

Economist William Easterly argues that development experts have treated global poverty as a technical problem and overlooked the rights of poor people. He shows how aid agencies and advisers have often supported autocrats who promised solutions, while ignoring individual freedom and political rights. Using history and examples from Africa, Asia and Latin America, Easterly argues that free individuals and markets drive development better than top-down plans.

Recommended by 1 person

• Shane Parrish: “An incredible read. For the longest time we’ve seen poverty through the lens of a ‘technical problem’ that requires ‘expert’ solutions. Well, experts have been recommending technical solutions for years and the problem doesn’t seem to be getting better.”