Good Economics for Hard Times by Abhijit V. Banerjee & Esther Duflo Summary
Overview of Good Economics for Hard Times
Nobel Prize-winning economists reveal how evidence-based thinking can solve today's toughest challenges. Bill Gates praises their accessible approach to immigration, inequality, and trade. Can rigorous economic methods truly bridge political divides? Discover why this book sparked both acclaim and controversy worldwide.
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Key takeaways
Why Your Neighbor Believes Things That Make No Sense
What if the most dangerous economic problems aren't about money at all, but about something far more human? Consider this: nearly half of Republicans would feel genuinely unhappy if their child married a Democrat. In 1960, that number was just 5%. We've reached a point where political identity trumps family bonds, where tribal loyalty overrides rational discourse, and where economic debates have devolved into warfare by other means. This isn't just about politics-it's about how we've lost the ability to talk to each other about the issues that matter most. Immigration, trade, inequality, automation, climate change. These challenges demand nuanced solutions, yet our conversations have shrunk to tweet-length accusations. Meanwhile, economists-who should help navigate these waters-are trusted by only 25% of people, barely more than politicians and far less than weather forecasters. The discipline meant to illuminate our path forward has become part of the fog. What we need urgently is economics that acknowledges complexity, tests ideas against reality, and admits when ideology must yield to evidence.
The Strange Truth About Who Actually Moves (and Why They Don't)
When Free Trade Breaks Its Promises
Why We Believe What We Want to Believe
The Growth Obsession We Need to Abandon
Finding Dignity in an Age of Robots and Rising Inequality
Building an Economics That Serves Humanity
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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