Why I Don’t Believe in Revolutions

Historical reflection on revolutions and economic development, comparing Guatemala's political history with Singapore, Ireland and Switzerland.

Do revolutions make countries more prosperous? Drawing on the experiences of Singapore, Switzerland, Ireland, Cuba and China, this essay examines the relationship between revolutions, institutions and economic development. It also revisits Guatemala’s October 1944 Revolution and argues that political agreements, economic freedom and stronger institutions offer a more promising path than attempting to rebuild a country from scratch.