Bøker av Gregory Clark

Why are some parts of the world so rich and others so poor? Why did the Industrial Revolution--and the unprecedented economic growth that came with it--occur in eighteenth-century England, and not at some other time, or in some other place? Why didn't industrialization make the whole world rich--and why did it make large parts of the world even poorer? In A Farewell to Alms, Gregory Clark tackles these profound questions and suggests a new and provocative way in which culture--not exploitation, geography, or resources--explains the wealth, and the poverty, of nations. Countering the prevailing theory that the Industrial Revolution was sparked by the sudden development of stable political, legal, and economic institutions in seventeenth-century Europe, Clark shows that such institutions existed long before industrialization. He argues instead that these institutions gradually led to deep cultural changes by encouraging people to abandon hunter-gatherer instincts-violence, impatience, and economy of effort-and adopt economic habits-hard work, rationality, and education. The problem, Clark says, is that only societies that have long histories of settlement and security seem to develop the cultural characteristics and effective workforces that enable economic growth. For the many societies that have not enjoyed long periods of stability, industrialization has not been a blessing. Clark also dissects the notion, championed by Jared Diamond in Guns, Germs, and Steel, that natural endowments such as geography account for differences in the wealth of nations. A brilliant and sobering challenge to the idea that poor societies can be economically developed through outside intervention, A Farewell to Alms may change the way global economic history is understood.

A surprising look at how ancestry still determines social outcomesHow much of our fate is tied to the status of our parents and grandparents? How much does it influence our children? More than we wish to believe. While it has been argued that rigid class structures have eroded in favor of greater social equality, The Son Also Rises proves that movement on the social ladder has changed little over eight centuries. Using a novel technique-tracking family names over generations to measure social mobility across countries and periods-renowned economic historian Gregory Clark reveals that mobility rates are lower than conventionally estimated, do not vary across societies, and are resistant to social policies.Clark examines and compares surnames in such diverse cases as modern Sweden and Qing Dynasty China. He demonstrates how fate is determined by ancestry and that almost all societies have similarly low social mobility rates. Challenging popular assumptions about mobility and revealing the deeply entrenched force of inherited advantage, The Son Also Rises is sure to prompt intense debate for years to come.

Do you wake up and reach for your phone? Do you pick it up and then look at the clock, wondering where the time went? Do you want to reduce weight yet continue to consume junk food? How effective are you in your work or business? Are you restless and unable to concentrate? Do you find it difficult to feel excited about big projects?You will comprehend how our use of smart phones impairs our capacity to focus, think abstractly, and form new memories. You will then make personalized changes to your system's settings, environment, and mental attitude needed to retake control of your life. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn:The science behind dopamine and how it affects your brain and behaviorThe negative impact of dopamine dysregulation on your mental and physical healthThe benefits and potential risks of dopamine detoxStrategies for managing cravings and anxietyThe role of self-care in dopamine detoxificationLong-term benefits of dopamine detox and preventing relapseAnd much more!You'll also learn about the latest research on the brain and how to use it to be more productive. The Dopamine Detox Secrets Book is not only an easy read but also a step-by-step guide to help you understand the science behind distractions and how to overcome them.

Jazz is born of collaboration, improvisation, and listening. This book weaves an argument about how individuals can preserve and improve civic life in a democratic culture. It will appeal to scholars across disciplines as diverse as political science, performance studies, musicology, and literary criticism.