Wars, Guns, and Votes

An expert on developing nations offers "accessible and very sensible analysis" of America's promotion of democracy abroad—and why it often fails (Publishers Weekly).

Oxford economist Paul Collier gives an eye-opening assessment of the corruption and political violence that plague developing nations across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. While many of these governments meet America's standards for democracy, Collier shows that they lack the essential infrastructure to make democracy work—such as a free press, the rule of law, and election transparency.


Sharing rigorous analysis in accessible language, Collier presents numerous case studies where the façade of democracy gives legitimacy to autocratic leaders and enables tribal warfare. Groundbreaking and provocative, Wars, Guns, and Votes is a passionate and convincing argument for the peaceful development of the most volatile places on earth.