“Suppose a country starts its independence with the three economic characteristics that globally make a country prone to civil war: low income, slow growth, and dependence upon primary commodity exports. It is playing Russian roulette. That is not just an… — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
“And so a miserable but possible scenario is that countries in the bottom billion oscillate between the traps and limbo, perhaps switching in the… — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
“Rebels usually have something to complain about, and if they don't they make it up. All too often the really disadvantaged are in no… — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
How do we give credible hope to the billion poorest people in the world? It requires compassion to get ourselves started, and enlightened self-interest… — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
At the core of all successful societies are procedures for blocking the advancement of bad men — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
“The critical changes in trade policy... are politically difficult not because they threaten interests (they don't) but because they do not fit into any… — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
There is a simple way of avoiding excess risk-taking by the managers of our financial institutions. It is to make it a crime ...… — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
Most conduct is guided by norms rather than by laws. Norms are voluntary and are effective because they are enforced by peer pressure. — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
“Launching a turnaround takes courage. I cannot measure that and so it is not going to be included in my analysis, but behind the… — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
Politicians would only move beyond gestures once there was a critical mass of informed citizens. — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
Change in the societies at the very bottom must come predominantly from within; we cannot impose it on them. — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
“Persuading everyone to behave decently to each other because the society is so fragile is a worthy goal, but it may be more straightforward… — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
“Pressure works, but it needs to be organized. This is the domain of the NGOs and the rock stars.” — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
Without an informed electorate, politicians will continue to use the bottom billion merely for photo opportunities, rather than promoting real transformation. — Paul Collier Copy Share Image
