Episode · EconTalk · 2025-12-08
Books mentioned on Colonialism, Slavery, and Foreign Aid (with William Easterly)
Can the promise of economic progress ever justify conquest, coercion, and control over other people’s lives? Economist William Easterly joins EconTalk's Russ Roberts to argue no--and to rethink what "development" really means in theory, in history, and in our politics today.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Violent Saviors
Discussed“His latest book is Violent Saviors, the West's Conquest of the Rest, which is the subject of today's conversation.”
Where to get it
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The Wealth of Nations
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith is a foundational 1776 text in modern economics that examines the mechanics of free markets, division of labor, and national prosperity.
Discussed“Variations on the noun choice or verb choose occur 48 times in the wealth of nations usually referring to individual choice. Smith mentions consent 24 times.”
Where to get it
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The Theory of Moral Sentiments
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith is a foundational work of moral philosophy and economics that explores the psychological and emotional underpinnings of human behavior, sympathy, and social order.
Discussed“that was you know I can give you the exact quotes from Smith but that's his argument very very clearly made in one part of the wealth of nations well that's a very powerful uh statements in the theory of moral sentiments about the dignity of of so-called he sometimes calls them savages I think you point out in your”
Where to get it
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Development as Freedom
Development as Freedom by Amartya Sen is a renowned economic treatise arguing that freedom is both the primary end and the principal means of development.
Discussed“Amaren coming along writing a book development is freedom.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“My guest today has been William Easterly. His book is Violent Saviors. Bill, thanks for being part of Econ Talk.”