About this book:

In just two centuries, global poverty has plummeted from near-universal subsistence to billions lifted into prosperity—a seismic shift charted here through groundbreaking data and historical analysis. This eye-opening book challenges conventional narratives by asking: What if the spread of capitalist institutions—secure property rights, free trade, and entrepreneurial innovation—was the decisive force behind this transformation? From the upheavals of the early 1800s to today’s globalized economy, each chapter uncovers how market-driven policies, not centralized systems, unlocked unprecedented human potential. Readers will journey through revolutions in technology, finance, and governance, witnessing how free markets catalyzed the first waves of poverty reduction and reshaped societies from Manchester to Mumbai.

By contrasting the outcomes of capitalist and socialist experiments, the book demystifies the complex interplay of institutions and economic growth. Explore how post-WWII Marshall Plan recovery, Asian Tigers’ export-led boom, and China’s reform era all point to a singular truth: decentralized markets empower people to innovate, trade, and thrive. With meticulous research, including counterfactual analyses and fresh perspectives on global value chains, it dismantles ideological debates to reveal actionable insights for policymakers. Whether you’re a student, scholar, or curious reader, this is an essential guide to understanding how capitalism’s principles can be harnessed to build a more equitable future—and why its legacy may hold the key to ending extreme poverty for good.