Power And Progress By Daron Acemoglu Business Book of the Year 2023

Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson is a groundbreaking work that explores the deep relationship between technological innovation, power, and economic progress. Named the Financial Times Business Book of the Year 2023, this book challenges the widespread belief that technological advancement automatically benefits everyone.

Drawing on 1,000 years of history — from the plow to generative AI — the authors show how innovations have often served the interests of elites rather than the common good. From medieval landlords exploiting peasants to modern tech giants shaping economies, Acemoglu and Johnson reveal how power determines who gains from progress.

But this is not just a book of warnings. The authors argue that with inclusive policies, democratic accountability, and ethical choices, technology can be harnessed to create shared prosperity rather than inequality. This timely work blends economic history, political insight, and urgent commentary on the future of AI and automation, making it essential reading for business leaders, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the future of work and society.