Bad Samaritans

The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism

By Ha-Joon Chang

A rising young star in the field of economics attacks the free-trade orthodoxy head-on-a crisp, contrarian history of global capitalism

Bad Samaritans was an introduction to open-minded economists and political free-thinkers to Ha-Joon Chang's theories of the dangers of free-trade. With irreverent wit, an engagingly personal style, and a keen grasp of history, Chang blasts holes in the "World Is Flat" orthodoxy of Thomas Friedman and others who argue that only unfettered capitalism and wide-open international trade can lift struggling nations out of poverty. On the contrary, Chang shows, today's economic superpowers-from the U.S. to Britain to his native Korea-all attained prosperity by shameless protectionism and government intervention in industry, a fact conveniently forgotten now that they want to compete in foreign markets. Chang's cage-rattling, contrarian history of global capital appeals to readers new to economic theory as well as members of the old school looking for a fresh take.

Praise for Bad Samaritans

"A smart, lively and provocative book that offers us compelling new ways of looking at globalization."—Joseph Stiglitz

"I recommend this book to people who have any interest in these issues. i.e. everyone..."—Bob Geldof

"Every orthodoxy needs effective critics. Ha-Joon Chang is probably the world's most effective critic of globalisation. He does not deny the benefits to developing countries of integration into the world economy. But he draws on the lessons of history to argue that they must be allowed to integrate on their own terms"—Martin Wolf

"This is a marvellous book. Well researched, panoramic in its scope and beautifully written, Bad Samaritans is the perfect riposte to devotees of a one-size-fits-all model of growth and globalisation. I strongly urge you to read it".—Larry Elliott

"Lucid, deeply informed, and enlivened with striking illustrations, this penetrating study could be entitled ˜Economics in the Real World. Chang reveals the yawning gap between standard doctrines concerning economic development and what really has taken place from the origins of the industrial revolution until today. His incisive analysis shows how, and why, prescriptions based on reigning doctrines have caused severe harm, particularly to the most vulnerable and defenseless, and are likely to continue to do so.”—Noam Chomsky

Ha-Joon Chang was recently interviewed by BBC radio's program 4 Listen to BBC's interview.

Blog chatter continues about Ha-Joon Changâ€™s trenchant attack on free-market mythology, Bad Samaritans.

The Huffington Report

Read Chang's article on the U.S. financial crisis and how it shows our free-market hypocrisy. Conversation with Chang and others about the response to his book at the Prospect magazine blog .

"Readers who are leery of open-market orthodoxy will rejoice at the cogency of Bad Samaritans. Believers in free trade will find that the book forces them to recalibrate and maybe even backpedal a bit Chang's readership for book deserves a wide readership for illuminating the need for humility about the virtues of private markets and free trade, especially in the developing world.”—Washington Post

"A well-researched and readable case against free-trade orthodoxy.—Business Week

"A lively addition to the protectionist side of the debate well written and far more serious than most antiglobalization gibberish.”—New York Sun

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Bad Samaritans

The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism