The book covers the intellectual ground that a liberally educated student needs to grapple with to understand the complexity of economic development. For many years political scientists and economists have presented overly simplistic models and frameworks for understanding economic development that cannot withstand critical analyses of many individual country cases. By focusing on political economy in its cultural, religious, and historical roots as well as leadership decisions [the book] spurs critical thinking. Working through the unique development paths of individual countries promotes integrative thinking and a strong sense of realism about both the prospects and challenges of economic development in our rapidly emerging global economy and highly conflicted global society