Global poverty has fallen, but what should we conclude from that? (Dylan Matthews)

Abstract

This book expounds on the positive attributes of big business with the intent to counter the increasingly hostile attitudes towards it. The author argues that the recent rise in anti-business sentiments is a result of judging businesses based on expectations usually reserved for people. The author contends that this leads us to overemphasize their shortcomings, and even misinterpret acts of impersonal necessity as deeply personal betrayals. Business, the author argues, is often inaccurately blamed for many of society’s current problems, such as slow wage growth and increasing healthcare costs. The author believes that these issues are rooted in other factors such as technological slowdown and government intervention. Hence, he proposes that increasing market concentration – often a target of criticism against big businesses – is actually beneficial to consumers. – AI-generated abstract.