Overview

In Wealth, Poverty, and Politics, Thomas Sowell, one of the foremost conservative public intellectuals in the country, argues that political and ideological struggles have led to dangerous confusion about income inequality in America. Pundits and politically motivated economists trumpet ambiguous statistics and sensational theories while ignoring the true determinant of income inequality: the production of wealth. We cannot properly understand inequality if we focus exclusively on the distribution of wealth and ignore wealth production factors such as geography, demography, and culture. Sowell contends that liberals have a particular interest in misreading the data and chastises them for using income inequality as an argument for the welfare state. Refuting Thomas Piketty, Paul Krugman, and others, Sowell draws on empirical data to show that the inequality is not nearly as extreme or sensational as we have been led to believe. Transcending partisanship through a careful examination of data, Wealth, Poverty, and Politics reveals the truth about the most explosive political issue of our time.

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9781504623506

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Reviews

A provocative analysis of the universal causes of economic success and failure...While Sowell offers no pat solutions, his implied argument that cultural considerations must inform any serious attempt at improving the economic prospects of an underperforming nation or group merits serious consideration. -- ""Kirkus Reviews"" A worthwhile read. Had such an approach been available in this reviewer's student days, his understanding of the world would be that much better. -- ""Library Journal"" Challenging contrasting views of prominent academics, including Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Sowell throws down the gauntlet to his peers with differing positions. This challenging book will enhance and promote ongoing and important debates and discussions. -- ""Booklist"" Hoover Institution economist Sowell minces no words in his hard-hitting survey of global wealth and poverty...His compelling survey of what generates success and failure worldwide will challenge committed progressives...Open-minded readers will find Sowell's directness, honesty, and common sense refreshing and often wise. -- ""Publishers Weekly"" I've read all his books and never been even faintly disappointed. -- ""Fred Barnes, executive editor of the Weekly Standard, praise for the author"" Sowell is...the most original and interesting philosopher at work in America. -- ""Paul Johnson, New York Times bestselling author, praise for the author"" Transcending partisanship through a careful examination of data, Wealth, Poverty, and Politics reveals the truth about the most explosive political issue of our time. -- ""Conservative Book Club""

A provocative analysis of the universal causes of economic success and failure...While Sowell offers no pat solutions, his implied argument that cultural considerations must inform any serious attempt at improving the economic prospects of an underperforming nation or group merits serious consideration. -- Kirkus Reviews A worthwhile read. Had such an approach been available in this reviewer's student days, his understanding of the world would be that much better. -- Library Journal Challenging contrasting views of prominent academics, including Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Sowell throws down the gauntlet to his peers with differing positions. This challenging book will enhance and promote ongoing and important debates and discussions. -- Booklist Hoover Institution economist Sowell minces no words in his hard-hitting survey of global wealth and poverty...His compelling survey of what generates success and failure worldwide will challenge committed progressives...Open-minded readers will find Sowell's directness, honesty, and common sense refreshing and often wise. -- Publishers Weekly I've read all his books and never been even faintly disappointed. -- Fred Barnes, executive editor of the Weekly Standard, praise for the author Sowell is...the most original and interesting philosopher at work in America. -- Paul Johnson, New York Times bestselling author, praise for the author Transcending partisanship through a careful examination of data, Wealth, Poverty, and Politics reveals the truth about the most explosive political issue of our time. -- Conservative Book Club

I've read all his books and never been even faintly disappointed. -- Fred Barnes, executive editor of the Weekly Standard, praise for the author Sowell is...the most original and interesting philosopher at work in America. -- Paul Johnson, New York Times bestselling author, praise for the author Transcending partisanship through a careful examination of data, Wealth, Poverty, and Politics reveals the truth about the most explosive political issue of our time. -- Conservative Book Club A provocative analysis of the universal causes of economic success and failure...While Sowell offers no pat solutions, his implied argument that cultural considerations must inform any serious attempt at improving the economic prospects of an underperforming nation or group merits serious consideration. -- Kirkus Reviews Challenging contrasting views of prominent academics, including Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Sowell throws down the gauntlet to his peers with differing positions. This challenging book will enhance and promote ongoing and important debates and discussions. -- Booklist A worthwhile read. Had such an approach been available in this reviewer's student days, his understanding of the world would be that much better. -- Library Journal Hoover Institution economist Sowell minces no words in his hard-hitting survey of global wealth and poverty...His compelling survey of what generates success and failure worldwide will challenge committed progressives...Open-minded readers will find Sowell's directness, honesty, and common sense refreshing and often wise. -- Publishers Weekly

Author Information

Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute and the author of A Personal Odyssey, The Vision of the Anointed, Ethnic America, and several other books. His essays have appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, Forbes, and Fortune and are syndicated in 150 newspapers. He lives in Stanford, California. David Cochran Heath is a professional actor with more than 30 years of experience on the stage in over 130 productions. He is also a lifelong fan of radio theater and has done a variety of narration and character work. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Beth.

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