Moyo - Edge of Chaos

We all know what to do; we just dont know how to get re-elected after weve done it.

JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER,
President of the European Commission

How right was Winston Churchill to observe, Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.

Writing this book has been all these things and more.

I completed my PhD at Oxford University in economics, not in politics. And while I continue to be fascinated by economic questionsincluding growth, inequality, and developmentit is increasingly evident to me that politics, and not economics, will be the key driver of human progress and prosperity in years to come.

People (like myself) who have been educated or live in the West tend to have a lot of advice for countries that are blatantly, patently nondemocratic. However, we are less effusive when it comes to how we might improve liberal democracyeven at a time when this political construct appears to be under challenge and the need to reform for the better is urgent.

In this book I seek to motivate a debate on how to upgrade and improve the democratic system. While I spent the majority of my formative adolescent years in a nondemocratic, one-party state, I have spent much of my adult life living and working in established democracies. These lived experiences have afforded me a priceless opportunity to observe, examine, and reflect on the benefits and weaknesses of comparative political systems. In this regard, what I offer here are points for discussion and debate, rather than engraved prescriptions.

As always, I have written a book that I would want to read, recognizing that it may be naturally flawed in ways that many political scientists and politicians will readily identify.

No book project is a solo venture, and without the focus and commitment of many people this book would not have been written.

The team at the Wylie agencyAndrew Wylie, Kristina Moore, and James Pullenhave, as usual, been superb. Over the years I have had the support of great researchers who have each left their imprimatur on the bookRohan Beesla, Chen Liu, and Kim Shechtmanthank you so very much for your diligence and hard work.

A heartfelt thank-you for the herculean efforts of the team at Hachette (Basic Books) who magically transformed a kernel of an idea into the book you see today. Led by the exceptional and indomitable Lara Heimert, Brian Distelberg, Betsy DeJesu, Courtney Nobile, Kelsey Ororczyk, Alia Massoud, Thomas Kelleher, Allie Finkel, and Connie Capone were all supportive at crucial times of the books writing, editing, and production process. In the UK, Tim Whiting and the Little, Brown team have been equally encouraging and immensely supportivethank you so very much. I owe a great debt of gratitude to each of them.

Three people have been pillars of this book project, and although their names do not appear on the front cover, this book is as much theirs as mine: Jeremy Adams, Brandon Proia, and Geordie Young spent countless hours helping me road test the ideas and structure of this book. To them I am eternally grateful, while recognizing that all errors are mine alone.

Kristi Brusa is my backbone, and without her, every aspect of this project, and possibly even my life, would fall apart! Her unwavering dedication, efficiency, and affability make my lifes pursuits that much more seamless and enjoyable. You are so much appreciated.

I cannot adequately thank my familymy parents, Steven and Orlean Moyo, and siblings Mdolole Steven, Leah, and Sekiwho through thick and thin remain unwavering and steadfast in their love, support, and encouragement.

During the last phase of this book my immediate younger sister, Marsha Irene Hlekiwe, passed away, devastating our family. In life she was eternally irreverent, passionate, and determined.

This book is dedicated to her.

Dambisa Moyo