Episode · Conversations with Tyler · 2026-02-18
Books mentioned on Joe Studwell on Africa, Asia, and What Development Actually Requires
When Tyler called Joe Studwell's How Asia Works "perhaps my favorite economics book of the year" back in 2013, he wasn't alone: it became one of the most influential treatments of industrial policy ever written. Now Studwell has turned his attention to Africa with How Africa Works.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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How Asia Works
How Asia Works by Joe Studwell is a prominent economic study that analyzes the varying economic development trajectories of East Asian nations through land reform, export discipline, and agricultural policy.
Recommended“Before my last question, just to recap, Joe's two books, How Asia Works and How Africa Works are essential reading. His earlier books are interesting as well, on Southeast Asia and finance.”
Where to get it
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How Africa Works
How Africa Works by Joe Studwell is a rigorous economic analysis that investigates the successes and failures of development policies across various nations on the African continent.
Recommended“Before my last question, just to recap, Joe's two books, How Asia Works and How Africa Works are essential reading. His earlier books are interesting as well, on Southeast Asia and finance.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Own book How Africa Works
“I talk about it in the book, but it's principally been the hydrocarbon states that have had the most volatile growth over time.”
Own book How Africa Works
“I think that there is, but that is why my book concentrates - when it's presenting optimism - on what is going on in the private sector, and particularly what's going on in agriculture...”