The Great Escape

The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality – Angus Deaton

1. Full Citation

Deaton, A. (2013) The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

2. Introduction

The Great Escape examines the dramatic improvements in health and wealth achieved globally over the last two centuries and explores why inequality persists despite these advances. Angus Deaton, Nobel laureate in economics, analyses the relationship between economic development, health outcomes, and inequality, highlighting both the successes and the continuing challenges faced by societies worldwide.

3. Author Background and Credentials

Angus Deaton is a British-American economist and professor at Princeton University. Awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, Deaton is known for his work on consumption, poverty, and welfare economics.

4. Summary of Contents

Key topics include:

  1. Historical Progress in Health and Wealth
    • Details the global improvements in life expectancy and income.
  2. Inequality within and between Countries
    • Explores trends and causes of economic disparities.
  3. Measurement of Welfare and Poverty
    • Discusses the challenges of assessing well-being beyond income.
  4. Role of Institutions and Policies
    • Evaluates the impact of governance, education, and health systems.
  5. Future Challenges
    • Considers policy implications for reducing inequality and sustaining progress.

5. Critical Evaluation

a. Coherence and Argumentation

Deaton combines economic theory with empirical evidence to present a coherent analysis of development and inequality.

b. Originality and Intellectual Contribution

The book contributes significantly to understanding the complex dynamics of global health and economic disparities.

c. Evidence, Sources, and Method

Uses extensive statistical data, historical records, and case studies.

d. Style and Accessibility

Written in clear, scholarly prose accessible to economists and general readers.

e. Limitations and Critiques

Some critics suggest more emphasis could be placed on structural global factors and power relations.

6. Comparative Context

Compared with:

  • Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-First Century – Focus on capital and inequality
  • Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo’s Poor Economics – Microeconomic focus on poverty alleviation
  • Jeffrey Sachs’s The End of Poverty – Development economics and policy solutions

7. Thematic or Disciplinary Relevance

Relevant to:

  • Development economics and global health
  • Inequality and welfare economics
  • Economic history and growth theory
  • Public policy and international development

8. Reflection or Practical Application

Provides a nuanced framework for policymakers aiming to address health and economic disparities.

9. Conclusion

The Great Escape is an insightful and comprehensive examination of human progress, inequality, and the challenges that remain, offering valuable perspectives for academics and practitioners alike.

Recommended for: Economists, policymakers, public health professionals, and students of development studies.

10. Other Works by the Same Author

  • Consumption (1992)
  • The Analysis of Household Surveys (1997)
  • Various articles on poverty and welfare measurement

11. Similar Books by Other Authors

  • Thomas Piketty – Capital in the Twenty-First Century
  • Jeffrey Sachs – The End of Poverty
  • Amartya Sen – Development as Freedom
  • Angus Deaton – Health, Inequality and Economic Development

12. References (only if external works are cited)

  • Deaton, A. (2013) The Great Escape
  • Piketty, T. (2013) Capital in the Twenty-First Century
  • Sachs, J.D. (2005) The End of Poverty
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