Summary:
The book challenges the dominant narrative of free-market policies as a one-size-fits-all solution for economic development, arguing that wealthy nations have historically used protectionist measures to grow their economies. It critiques the hypocrisy of rich countries that now push developing nations to adopt free trade, while ignoring the historical context and nuanced strategies that actually contributed to their own prosperity.
Key points:
1. Free Trade Myth: Chang disputes the universal benefit of free trade, arguing that developed countries prospered through protectionism and state intervention, not free trade.
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