Kicking Away the Ladder

Kicking Away the Ladder Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective is a 2002 book by economist Ha-Joon Chang. It examines how now-developed nations achieved their prosperity through interventionist policies and argues that similar tools are often denied to developing countries today. The work challenges orthodox free-market prescriptions in international development economics. Key facts Author: Ha-Joon Chang Published: 2002 Subject: Economic development and policy history Publisher: Anthem Press Awards: 2003 Myrdal Prize (European Association for Evolutionary Political Economy) Historical argument Chang traces how countries such as Britain, the United States, and Germany industrialized through protectionism, subsidies, and state involvement. He contends that these policies were later obscured as those nations promoted free trade to others. The title metaphor—“kicking away the ladder”—refers to rich countries removing the means that once helped them climb to economic success. Critique of neoliberalism The book directly disputes the neoliberal consensus advanced by institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, which often condition…

The cheapest new copy of Kicking Away the Ladder is £14.99 at Waterstones. Prices checked 1 Nov 2026

More by Ha-Joon Chang

More by Ha-Joon Chang