Getting Better audiobook cover - Why Global Development Is Succeeding and How We Can Improve the World Even More

Getting Better

Why Global Development Is Succeeding and How We Can Improve the World Even More

Charles Kenny

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PoliticsEconomics

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Getting Better
The Income Gap+
Economic Growth Fallacies+
Unprecedented QoL Progress+
Declining Cost of Living+
Redefining Development+
Policy and Global Action+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
According to the book, what is the most accurate indicator of global progress and development?
  • A. Rapid income convergence between rich and poor nations.
  • B. Improvements in quality of life, such as health and education.
  • C. The universal adoption of neo-liberal economic policies.
  • D. The steady increase of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) across all continents.
Question 2 of 8
What has been the historical trend regarding the income gap between the world's richest and poorest countries since 1950?
  • A. It has significantly decreased due to globalized trade.
  • B. It has remained relatively stagnant.
  • C. It has grown substantially, from around thirty-three-fold to 127-fold.
  • D. It has fluctuated wildly but is currently at its lowest point in history.
Question 3 of 8
Why does the author argue that traditional economic growth theories are largely ineffective for developing nations?
  • A. They incorrectly assume that all countries function in the same way.
  • B. They focus too heavily on environmental sustainability at the expense of profit.
  • C. They rely exclusively on increasing agricultural productivity.
  • D. They require a level of technological advancement that poor countries lack.
Question 4 of 8
While global income inequality remains high, what trend is occurring regarding the global quality of life?
  • A. It is declining rapidly due to the rising costs of healthcare and education.
  • B. It is becoming more equal across different countries.
  • C. It is only improving in Western nations that have high GDPs.
  • D. It has stagnated globally since the mid-twentieth century.
Question 5 of 8
How have technology and the spread of ideas impacted the cost of a 'good life' globally?
  • A. They have made a good life highly dependent on having a large income.
  • B. They have increased the cost of living by monopolizing agricultural production.
  • C. They have reduced the costs of living through cheaper food and low-cost health practices.
  • D. They have had little to no impact on the poorest regions of the world.
Question 6 of 8
What is the author's primary recommendation for policymakers regarding economic development?
  • A. Policies should prioritize rapid income growth above all other metrics.
  • B. Policies should focus on developing quality of life, even if it doesn't immediately boost economic growth.
  • C. Policies should strictly adhere to neo-liberal economic philosophies to attract foreign investment.
  • D. Policies should decrease government spending on public services to balance national budgets.
Question 7 of 8
According to the text, what is a key driving force for overall income convergence within countries that rich nations should support globally?
  • A. The privatization of national healthcare systems.
  • B. The implementation of universal basic income.
  • C. The establishment of a single global currency.
  • D. The implementation of reasonable migration policies to allow a freer flow of people.
Question 8 of 8
How does the author suggest individuals in wealthy countries should respond to the uncertainty of how to best foster income growth in developing nations?
  • A. They should withhold financial aid until a foolproof economic master plan is developed.
  • B. They should focus exclusively on domestic issues until global markets stabilize.
  • C. They should still act and invest in proven quality-of-life improvements, like bed nets.
  • D. They should invest solely in the stock markets of developing nations to force economic growth.

Getting Better — Full Chapter Overview

Getting Better Summary & Overview

As pessimists talk of an economic development crisis, author Charles Kenny is optimistic in his assessment that in fact, all over the world, we’ve made enormous progress in overall quality of life. Getting Better shows that the spread of technology and ideas has fostered a revolution of happiness and standard of living unprecedented in human history. Kenny provides evidence to make us enthusiastic about the progress we’ve attained so far, and offers suggestions on what is to be done if we want to keep this progress alive.

Who Should Listen to Getting Better?

  • Anyone interested in international politics and development aid
  • Anyone looking for a fresh and optimistic outlook on the world
  • Anyone interested in economics and global development

About the Author: Charles Kenny

Formerly with the World Bank, American economist Charles Kenny is a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development and the New America Foundation. He writes for the magazine Foreign Policy and has published many articles in various publications addressing the correlation of economic growth, health and happiness.

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