Poor Economics by Abhijit V. Banerjee Summary
Overview of Poor Economics
Nobel Prize-winning economists reveal how the world's poorest make financial decisions that challenge conventional wisdom. Through intimate conversations and rigorous experiments, they uncover surprising solutions to global poverty that have influenced policymakers worldwide. What counterintuitive approach could lift a billion people from destitution?
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Key takeaways
The Economics of Poverty: A Revolutionary Perspective
Why do billions in aid and decades of effort fail to eliminate global poverty? MIT economists Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo challenge conventional wisdom with evidence from 15 years of groundbreaking research across five continents. Their work, which earned them the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics, reveals the sophisticated economic lives of those living on less than $1 per day. Through vivid stories and rigorous experiments, they show how small, targeted interventions can create enormous impacts. What makes their approach revolutionary is their rejection of grand theories in favor of understanding specific challenges faced by real people. They don't ask whether aid works or fails broadly-they investigate which interventions work, why, and how they can be improved. By examining the economic lives of the poor with scientific precision and human empathy, they uncover surprising insights that overturn conventional wisdom about poverty.
Beyond Hunger: The Complex Reality of Food and Nutrition
The Health Paradox: Cheap Solutions, Expensive Choices
Education's Broken Promise: Why Schools Fail the Poor
Risk Management: The Poor as Reluctant Hedge Fund Managers
Saving Brick by Brick: The Psychology of Poverty
From Evidence to Action: Five Key Lessons
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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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