📖 Overview
Ha-Joon Chang is a South Korean institutional economist and professor at the University of Cambridge. He is widely recognized for his heterodox critiques of free-market economics and his work on development economics.
Chang's best-known books include "23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism" (2010) and "Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism" (2007), which challenge conventional wisdom about free-market policies and their impact on developing nations. His works have been translated into over 40 languages and have influenced economic policy discussions worldwide.
As a development economist, Chang has served as a consultant to various UN agencies, the World Bank, and international aid agencies. His research focuses on the role of state intervention in economic development, industrial policy, and the historical analysis of economic institutions.
Chang's academic contributions have earned him the Wassily Leontief Prize and recognition from Prospect magazine as one of the top World Thinkers. His work consistently emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context in economic development and challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to economic policy.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Chang's ability to explain complex economic concepts in accessible language. His books '23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism' and 'Bad Samaritans' receive particular appreciation for challenging mainstream economic thinking with clear examples and historical context.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Clear debunking of common economic myths
- Use of real-world examples and data
- Humor mixed with serious analysis
- Balance of academic rigor and readability
Common criticisms:
- Repetitive points across different books
- Selective use of data to support arguments
- Oversimplification of opposing viewpoints
Average ratings:
Goodreads:
- 23 Things: 4.1/5 (15,000+ ratings)
- Bad Samaritans: 4.2/5 (4,000+ ratings)
- Economics: The User's Guide: 4.1/5 (3,000+ ratings)
Amazon:
- 23 Things: 4.6/5
- Bad Samaritans: 4.5/5
One reader noted: "Makes economics understandable without talking down to the reader." Another criticized: "Cherry-picks examples that fit his narrative."
📚 Books by Ha-Joon Chang
23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism (2010)
A systematic examination of twenty-three commonly held beliefs about free-market capitalism, analyzing their validity through historical evidence and economic data.
Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism (2007) An analysis of how developed nations achieved their economic status through protectionist policies while advocating free trade to developing countries.
Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective (2002) A historical investigation of how developed nations used different economic policies during their development than those they now recommend to developing countries.
Economics: The User's Guide (2014) A comprehensive introduction to various schools of economic thought, explaining fundamental concepts and competing theories of how economies work.
Institutions and Economic Development: Theory, Policy and History (2011) An examination of how institutional structures and policies affect economic development, drawing from historical examples across different countries.
Restructuring Korea Inc.: Financial Crisis, Corporate Reform, and Institutional Transition (2003) A detailed analysis of South Korea's economic transformation and corporate reforms following the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism (2007) An analysis of how developed nations achieved their economic status through protectionist policies while advocating free trade to developing countries.
Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective (2002) A historical investigation of how developed nations used different economic policies during their development than those they now recommend to developing countries.
Economics: The User's Guide (2014) A comprehensive introduction to various schools of economic thought, explaining fundamental concepts and competing theories of how economies work.
Institutions and Economic Development: Theory, Policy and History (2011) An examination of how institutional structures and policies affect economic development, drawing from historical examples across different countries.
Restructuring Korea Inc.: Financial Crisis, Corporate Reform, and Institutional Transition (2003) A detailed analysis of South Korea's economic transformation and corporate reforms following the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
👥 Similar authors
Joseph Stiglitz specializes in development economics and critiques of market fundamentalism as a Nobel Prize-winning economist. He served as Chief Economist at the World Bank and has written extensively about globalization's failures and the need for reformed economic institutions.
Dani Rodrik focuses on globalization, economic growth, and institutional economics at Harvard University. His work examines the relationship between markets and states, emphasizing how different countries require different policy approaches for development.
Erik S. Reinert studies the history of economic thought and development economics with focus on how rich countries became rich. His research demonstrates how protectionist policies and industrial strategy have historically been crucial for economic development, contrary to free-market orthodoxy.
Mariana Mazzucato analyzes the role of state investment in innovation and economic growth. She documents how government funding and direction have been essential to major technological breakthroughs and challenges narratives about private sector innovation.
Robert Wade researches industrial policy and development with particular focus on East Asian economic success. His work examines how state intervention and strategic trade policies contributed to rapid industrialization in countries like Taiwan and South Korea.
Dani Rodrik focuses on globalization, economic growth, and institutional economics at Harvard University. His work examines the relationship between markets and states, emphasizing how different countries require different policy approaches for development.
Erik S. Reinert studies the history of economic thought and development economics with focus on how rich countries became rich. His research demonstrates how protectionist policies and industrial strategy have historically been crucial for economic development, contrary to free-market orthodoxy.
Mariana Mazzucato analyzes the role of state investment in innovation and economic growth. She documents how government funding and direction have been essential to major technological breakthroughs and challenges narratives about private sector innovation.
Robert Wade researches industrial policy and development with particular focus on East Asian economic success. His work examines how state intervention and strategic trade policies contributed to rapid industrialization in countries like Taiwan and South Korea.