The Fix: How Nations Survive and Thrive in a World in Decline

by Jonathan Tepperman

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Business. Politics. Nonfiction. HTML:We all know the bad news. Our economies are stagnant. Wages are flat and income inequality keeps rising. The Middle East is burning and extremism is spreading. Frightened voters are embracing populist outsiders and angry nationalists. And no wonder: we are living in an age of unprecedented, irreversible decline�??or so we're constantly being told. Jonathan Tepperman's The Fix presents a very different picture. It identifies ten pervasive and seemingly impossible challenges�??including immigration reform, economic stagnation, political gridlock, corruption, and Islamist extremism�??and shows that, contrary to the general consensus, each has a solution, and not merely a hypothetical one. By taking a close look at overlooked success stories�??from countries as diverse as Canada, Botswana, and Indonesia�??Tepperman discovers practical advice for problem-solvers of all stripes, making a data-driven case for optimism in a time of crus… (more)

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This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

The Fix is a hopeful book, and goodness knows we could do with more of that in today’s world. Most of the chapters deal with a particular place and time in recent world history: a recounting of how one nation managed to successfully handle a particular sociopolitical challenge. I found most of these to be quite thought-provoking. However, one area where Tepperman’s book falls short is in addressing the question of how transferable these solutions are. Can a fix for corruption in an Asian nation apply equally to less blatant, more insidious forms of corruption on the other side of the globe? The answer is unclear. But perhaps the strongest message to hear from this book is that daunting social challenges can be ameliorated or solved by a resolute leader who is creative in proposing solutions, courageous in carrying them out, and who has the best interests of his or her people at heart. (

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baroquem | Oct 28, 2017 |

Believe it or not, political leaders sometimes manage to not screw up. When presented with problems as serious as corruption or even civil war, every once in a while, they do things that help fix the situation. Jonathan Tepperman, a contributor to various publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, shows how a few leaders around the world did it in very specific and unique cases. This is far from a comprehensive scientific study on good governance. It provides, at best, hints that it is normally wise to compromise with opponents rather than to harshly suppress them, and to shun partisan dogma in favor of what actually works. Sadly, this kind of common sense attitude seems far too uncommon in politics. (

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DLMorrese | Aug 23, 2017 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Tepperman identifies a group of improbable outcomes in national affairs and identifies the factors that made them possible. Gives hope for national leaders confronting dire circumstances: but the odds remain long.

thomasjahl | Feb 7, 2017 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

This is the type of book that I wish would be given out to political leaders. It beings by presenting several major and supposedly intractable facing world governments today (economic inequality, immigration, Islamic extremism, civil war, corruption, energy, natural resources, economic growth, and political gridlock). Indeed, these problems are daunting. However, this is an optimistic book! Each chapter is a case study on how a country has successfully addressed one of these issues in unique and innovative ways. Of course, the circumstance of each nation is unique and there is no guarantee that what works in Brazil will also work in Bangladesh or the United States. Still, there is a lot to be learned.

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I have a much rosier outlook on the 21st century after reading this book. (

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ArtVanDelay1774 | Jan 12, 2017 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Thank goodness for a book with something positive to say about solving the world's problems. A refreshing read. The author does not gloss over or sugar coat the challenges facing the global community today, but neither does he throw up his hands and point to someone to blame. Instead, he dives deep into the issues, from a very current perspective, and shows us how some nations/leaders have started to find answers. We should be teaching to this topic, perhaps using this book, in schools right now so the next generation sees examples of political leaders who made change happen. (

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AzureMountain | Nov 29, 2016 |

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Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year (Longlist – 2016)

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Business. Politics. Nonfiction. HTML:We all know the bad news. Our economies are stagnant. Wages are flat and income inequality keeps rising. The Middle East is burning and extremism is spreading. Frightened voters are embracing populist outsiders and angry nationalists. And no wonder: we are living in an age of unprecedented, irreversible decline�??or so we're constantly being told.
Jonathan Tepperman's The Fix presents a very different picture. It identifies ten pervasive and seemingly impossible challenges�??including immigration reform, economic stagnation, political gridlock, corruption, and Islamist extremism�??and shows that, contrary to the general consensus, each has a solution, and not merely a hypothetical one. By taking a close look at overlooked success stories�??from countries as diverse as Canada, Botswana, and Indonesia�??Tepperman discovers practical advice for problem-solvers of all stripes, making a data-driven case for optimism in a time of crus

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