Every time I think I’m done with Jeffrey Sachs, some book review pulls me back in
I have a review of Jeffrey Sachs’ Commonwealth in today’s Washington Post. Here’s the punchline: In laying out this case, Sachs makes a significant contribution to a peculiar genre of nonfiction: the Great Global Scheme. Economists ranging from Hernando de Soto to Joseph Stiglitz have written in this genre, in which (typically) a great economist ...
I have a review of Jeffrey Sachs' Commonwealth in today's Washington Post. Here's the punchline: In laying out this case, Sachs makes a significant contribution to a peculiar genre of nonfiction: the Great Global Scheme. Economists ranging from Hernando de Soto to Joseph Stiglitz have written in this genre, in which (typically) a great economist diagnoses the world's ills, then proposes sweeping policies to cure them. Political scientists often read the prescriptions with amusement because the author almost always relies on the "political will" of leaders. Indeed, by Page 11, Sachs has already declared, "We don't need to break the bank, we only need common goodwill." This is a polite way of hoping that powerful politicians will ignore powerful political incentives. Go read the whole thing. [This is the second book of Sachs you've been asked to review for a major newspaper. Why not ask a real economist?--ed. I think that's precisely the reason -- as someone not in Sachs' field, I have no fear of saying anything critical.]
I have a review of Jeffrey Sachs’ Commonwealth in today’s Washington Post. Here’s the punchline:
In laying out this case, Sachs makes a significant contribution to a peculiar genre of nonfiction: the Great Global Scheme. Economists ranging from Hernando de Soto to Joseph Stiglitz have written in this genre, in which (typically) a great economist diagnoses the world’s ills, then proposes sweeping policies to cure them. Political scientists often read the prescriptions with amusement because the author almost always relies on the “political will” of leaders. Indeed, by Page 11, Sachs has already declared, “We don’t need to break the bank, we only need common goodwill.” This is a polite way of hoping that powerful politicians will ignore powerful political incentives.
Go read the whole thing. [This is the second book of Sachs you’ve been asked to review for a major newspaper. Why not ask a real economist?–ed. I think that’s precisely the reason — as someone not in Sachs’ field, I have no fear of saying anything critical.]
Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner
More from Foreign Policy
Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?
The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.
Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World
It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.
It’s a New Great Game. Again.
Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.
Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing
The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
