Why Nations Fail : Hardback : Random House USA Inc : 9780307719218 : 0307719219 : 23 May 2012 : Two of the world\'s best and most erudite economists turn to the hardest issue of all: why are some nations poor and others rich? Written with a deep knowledge of economics and political history, this is perhaps the most powerful statement made to date that institutions matter.\' A provocative, instructive, yet thoroughly enthralling book.--Joel Mokyr, Northwestern University.