Reviews for The ideas that conquered the world

The average rating for The ideas that conquered the world based on 4 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2010-02-23 00:00:00 Michael Yu Michael Mandelbaum makes an impassioned defense of the classical liberal ideal of democracy, free markets, and peace. The book is mostly a history of these ideals, and how they have fared in world history. The author believes that they now stand unchallenged as ideals around the world. Unlike most writers in this tradition, Mandelbaum is both humble and honest about his subject. He stays away from making bold predictions, and is honest about the downside to these ideals. Unfortunately, he never addresses the inherent weakness in the liberal tradition; the fact that in many ways, liberal states themselves seem unwilling or unable to defend it. However, Mandelbaum is one of the few writers in the liberal tradition who honestly approaches the moral deficiencies of illiberal states, and argues forcefully about their crimes, rather than concentrating on their economic failings.

Review # 2 was written on 2009-06-14 00:00:00 Thomas Mededma Mandelbaum's main thesis seems to be that free markets beget freer societies. That with rising per capita income there was a corellation with liberal democracy as a result. I don't think he provides any definitive proof that this is the case.

Review # 3 was written on 2010-02-23 00:00:00 James Snowden Michael Mandelbaum makes an impassioned defense of the classical liberal ideal of democracy, free markets, and peace. The book is mostly a history of these ideals, and how they have fared in world history. The author believes that they now stand unchallenged as ideals around the world. Unlike most writers in this tradition, Mandelbaum is both humble and honest about his subject. He stays away from making bold predictions, and is honest about the downside to these ideals. Unfortunately, he never addresses the inherent weakness in the liberal tradition; the fact that in many ways, liberal states themselves seem unwilling or unable to defend it. However, Mandelbaum is one of the few writers in the liberal tradition who honestly approaches the moral deficiencies of illiberal states, and argues forcefully about their crimes, rather than concentrating on their economic failings.

Review # 4 was written on 2009-06-14 00:00:00 Mark Beam Mandelbaum's main thesis seems to be that free markets beget freer societies. That with rising per capita income there was a corellation with liberal democracy as a result. I don't think he provides any definitive proof that this is the case.