The Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality
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Author: Oded Galor Publisher: Dutton, 2022 |
Reviewed by Nadirah Nissanto.
Oded Galor, a well-known economist and thinker, takes us on a fascinating trip from the beginning of human history to the present day. Along the way, he solves two of humanity's biggest mysteries.
Why is it that humans are the only species that have only recently gotten out of the subsistence trap, allowing us to live in a way that is far better than any other? And why have we developed in different ways in different parts of the world, making it so that today there are big differences between countries? Galor's story is huge in scope and full of surprising connections. It tells how technology, population size, and adaptation led to a shocking "phase change" in human history just 200 years ago. But by tracing that same journey back in time and peeling away the layers of influence—colonialism, political institutions, societal structure, and culture—he finds an explanation for the root causes of inequality: ancestors who lived in areas with good geography and a lot of diversity were set on the path to prosperity, while those who didn't had disadvantages that are still felt today.
As we face ecological crises all over the world, The Journey of Humanity is a book full of urgent truths and lasting lessons. Gender equality, investing in education, and finding a balance between diversity and social cohesion are the keys not only to our species' thriving, but to its survival.
English
Malay



