Mr Ferguson is a rigorously right wing historian, but useful to read. He is adamant that the retention of property is fundamental to the advance of civilization, and that Social programs had best be left to the actions of charity rather than governmental actions. Private home ownership by the bulk of the population seems to him, to be an unsuatanable posture. Well so the universe might seem to a child of a professional level household. But to those who really have nothing but their educations and sweat to survive, he seems a very shallow person. But, his arguments advanced in this book are quite popular with the better off part of our society. Read it to be forewarned. ( )

I like Niall Ferguson, as a historian, as a writer, as a theorist. So, of course I'd like this. This slim volume serves as a companion piece to his Civilization book and television series. Why did the West achieve so much? And then why does the West seem to be faltering today. Short answer: the West is not doing what it used to do (and, in fact, some are actively fighting against the institutions and actions that spurred that achievement.) I won't bore with details. But there are nice snippets of fact, excellent quotes from historians, economists, and thinkers from today and yesterday. Buy it if you can get it. If you liked Civilization, get it. ( )

How Institutions Decay and Economics Die

The book touches on three aspects of "degenration" of Western nations: civil society, the rule of law, economics. He will no doubt be accused of being right-wing, which for Ferguson appears unlikely. His points seem self-evident. The weight of regulation is pulling our various countries down - check. He doesn't argue against regulation, but its excesses. The weight of debt is an inter-generational trojan horse - check. I think it self-evident that we baby boomers are using our governments to indebt our countries to enjoy a lifestyle that we could not otherwise afford. The rule of law has become the rule of lawyers - check. One has only to read the news to see disconnects between reality and justice. No one important from any bank or investment firm after 2008 but we continually jail for petty crimes. Finally, the squeezing out of civil society by government - check. Where are the volunteers now?
Not a happy book, but one worth reading. ( )

an analysis of four of the great issues that America faces today. A disturbing book. Should be used to form discussions in high schools and universities. ( )