The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else
by Hernando de Soto
De Soto's answer is property rights. What is truly remarkable about this book is that the author not only gives a fresh analysis of the every day life in developing countries but also proposes an action plan for addressing the shortfalls of property systems in the developing world. The action plan is based on the experience of now developed nations from over 200 years ago, when they were making their property laws more relevant and effective by incorporating the terms of already established social contracts.
If we don't learn from history, it repeats itself.