The Invention of Power: Popes, Kings, and the Birth of the West

The book "The Invention of Power" challenges the idea of Western exceptionalism by arguing that a single event in the twelfth century, the 1122 Concordat of Worms, changed the course of European and world history by incentivizing economic growth, facilitating secularization, and improving the lot of the citizenry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: PublicAffairs,U.S.

In the tradition of Why Nations Fail, this book delves into the profound question of why the West emerged as the most dominant civilization in world history. Western exceptionalism, the notion that European civilizations are freer, wealthier, and less violent, is a pervasive and influential political idea that has brought both peace and prosperity to certain societies while causing ethnic cleansing and havoc in others. However, in The Invention of Power, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, renowned for his expertise in political maneuvering, deal-making, and game theory, presents a revolutionary new theory of Western exceptionalism. According to de Mesquita, a single, rarely discussed event in the twelfth century, the 1122 Concordat of Worms, played a pivotal role in shaping European and global history. By establishing a compromise between churches and nation-states, the Concordat effectively traded money for power and power for money. This transformative agreement incentivized economic growth, facilitated secularization, and improved the well-being of the citizenry, setting European countries on a path to prosperity.

In the centuries that followed, countries that experienced a similar dynamic of competition between church and state consistently outperformed those that did not. The Invention of Power challenges conventional notions about European culture, religion, and race and presents a compelling new vision of world history. Through meticulous research and analysis, de Mesquita sheds light on the complex factors that contributed to the West's ascendancy and offers valuable insights into the enduring legacies of this historical phenomenon. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the origins and consequences of Western power and the complex dynamics that shape global politics.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 139 x 210 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781541774391