In The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves, Matt Ridley argues that trade and specialization are natural human behaviors that drive prosperity and technological innovation, tracing these concepts from early human traders to modern capitalism. Ridley asserts that free-market capitalism fosters human progress, countering concerns about wealth inequality and climate change with an optimistic view on innovation and economic growth, although some of his assumptions face scrutiny.

Informative

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.3

15,532 ratings

76%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Matt Ridley's The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves is lauded for its optimistic take on human progress and innovation, presenting compelling arguments and extensive research. Critics appreciate its engaging prose and historical insights but note that some claims may be overly idealistic and dismissive of environmental concerns. Suitable for readers interested in economics and history.

Who Should Read The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves?

A reader who enjoys The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves by Matt Ridley is likely interested in economics, history, and evolutionary biology. They appreciate evidence-based optimism and enjoy books like Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now and Hans Rosling's Factfulness for their data-driven positive outlook on human progress.

4.3

15,532 ratings

76%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

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Book Details

Pages

448

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre

Psychology

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Philosophy

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Self-Improvement

Setting