Extreme Economies makes sense of the forces shaping the future -- urbanization, aging, technological change, gains and losses of human and social capital -- by describing what people do when pushed to their limits. This strategy of going to extremes pays off spectacularly. One short chapter on the Zaatari refugee camp reveals more about the future of work than the entire stream of reports that is spewing out of the "serious people" echo chamber. Taken together, the books nine deep dives are a much needed reminder that an economy is not what happens when equations interact with data. An economy is what is what happens when people -- real people, people with names -- interact with people. Anyone who wants to learn economics, is learning economics, or pretends to know some economics should read this book.
Paul Romer, winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences

A highly original approach to understanding what really makes economies tick. Both insightful and accessible to non-economists.
Mervyn King, former Governor of the Bank of England

A must read for anyone feeling desperate about the state of world affairs today, Extreme Economies demonstrates with vivid clarity and humanity how those in the most challenging situations can prosper. Many economists are quite narrow in their thinking about life’s challenges, this book beautifully demonstrates why the world’s most interesting places force us to think more openly.
Lord Jim O'Neill, Chair, Chatham House.

We learn most about ourselves at times of extreme stress and challenge. Using nine compelling country case studies, Richard Davies brilliantly demonstrates that the same is true of our economic systems. In its approach and insights, Extreme Economies is a revelation - and a must-read.
Andy Haldane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England

Richard Davies obviously made the kind of road trip many of us only dream of to write Extreme Economies. I tore through it. An economist who can write so well while at the same time explaining the economic principles so clearly is always a joy.
Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge

Richard Davies balances economics with art, exposing the trade-offs made by people living today and forcing us to question the outcomes of our decisions.
Will Page, Chief Economist at Spotify

Exciting to see economics strike out into the real world showing how trauma and chaos can yield raw truths about markets, monopolies and the state.
Simon Jenkins, former editor The Times

Breathtaking. An entertaining, fascinating, important reminder of the power of economics to shape all of our lives.

Introduction : Economics in Extreme Places
Survival : The Economics of Resilience
Failure : The Economics of Lost Potential
Future : The Economics of Tomorrow
Conclusion : A Rough Guide to The Future