“Suppose a country starts its independence with the three economic characteristics that globally make a country prone to civil war: low income, slow growth, and dependence upon primary commodity exports. It is playing Russian roulette. That is not just an idle metaphor: the risk that a country in the bottom billion falls into civil war in any five-year period is nearly one in six, the same risk facing a player of Russian roulette.”
“Suppose a country starts its independence with the three economic characteristics that globally make a country prone to civil war: low income, slow growth, and dependence upon primary commodity exports. It is playing Russian roulette. That is not just an idle metaphor: the risk that a country in the bottom billion falls into civil war in any five-year period is nearly one in six, the same risk facing a player of Russian roulette.”
Paul Collier
“Electorates tend to get the politicians they deserve.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Politicians would only move beyond gestures once there was a critical mass of informed citizens.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Poverty is not intrinsically a trap, otherwise we would all still be poor.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Not all developing countries are the same.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Without an informed electorate, politicians will continue to use the bottom billion merely for photo opportunities, rather than promoting real transformation.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Rebels usually have something to complain about, and if they don't they make it up. All too often the really disadvantaged are in no position to rebel; they just suffer quietly.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Launching a turnaround takes courage. I cannot measure that and so it is not going to be included in my analysis, but behind the moments of change there are always a few people within these societies who have decided to try to make a difference.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Elections determine who is in power, but they do not determine how power is used.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Suppose a country starts its independence with the three economic characteristics that globally make a country prone to civil war: low income, slow growth, and dependence upon primary commodity exports. It is playing Russian roulette. That is not just an idle metaphor: the risk that a country in the bottom billion falls into civil war in any five-year period is nearly one in six, the same risk facing a player of Russian roulette.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It“Persuading everyone to behave decently to each other because the society is so fragile is a worthy goal, but it may be more straightforward just to make the societies less fragile, which means developing their economies.”
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About ItAll in One Creative & Marketing Platform to tell stories at scale
