Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism

Methodology and Conclusions

In «Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism», Ha-Joon Chang employs historical and economic analysis to explore the development of various countries' economies. The author's methodology includes examining historical examples and economic data to show how developed countries used protectionist measures and government intervention to achieve economic growth before transitioning to free trade. Chang argues that free trade and neoliberal economic policies imposed on developing countries can be detrimental to their economic development. He cites historical examples from countries like the UK, the USA, and South Korea to demonstrate that successful economies often began by protecting their markets and supporting local industries. The book concludes that developing countries should be allowed to use similar strategies to foster their own economic growth, rather than following universal free trade recommendations that may not account for their unique conditions and needs.