Why are some countries rich and others poor, even when they sit right next to each other? Why does rent, a hospital bill or a phone plan cost what it does in your town? A lot of the answer comes down to one question: who writes the rules, and who do the rules serve?
1. Learn the big idea
Economists Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson describe two kinds of institutions. Extractive ones let a narrow group take wealth and power from everyone else. Inclusive ones spread power out, protect everyone’s rights and keep markets open to newcomers. Extraction Explained walks through the idea and the words that go with it, like rent-seeking, regulatory capture and monopoly.
2. See it in real countries
Nations uses case studies to show the idea at work: places that split in two, places rich in oil or minerals that stayed poor, and places that changed course.
3. Spot it where you live
Your Community looks at extraction close to home, from housing and medical debt to the local businesses bought up by private equity.
4. Learn from history
History of Power and Money & Inequality show how power was captured before, and how people pried it loose.
5. Do something about it
Rise Up covers what ordinary people have done: co-ops, unions, local campaigns and more. Big Ideas & Books points you to the reading behind it all.