Book Reviews

Abstract

Dean Yang of University of Michigan reviews “Economic Gangsters: Corruption, Violence, and the Poverty of Nations” by Raymond Fisman and Edward Miguel. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Explores the havoc wrought by the corruption and violence of the world's economic “gangsters,” and considers their impacts on economic development. Discusses Mandala Putra Suharto, son of the former Indonesian president, and his business ties; the smuggling operations of Lai Changxing; nature or nurture--understanding the culture of corruption; the disappearance of Lake Chad and its connection to African poverty and conflict; victimization of the elderly in rural Africa; the road back from war; and learning to fight economic gangsters. Fisman is Lambert Family Professor of Social Enterprise and Research Director of the Social Enterprise Program at Columbia Business School. Miguel is Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Center of Evaluations for Global Action at the University of California, Berkeley. Index.”