Summary of The Rational Optimist

The Rational Optimist is a book by Matt Ridley which argues that human progress is driven by the power of exchange and specialization. Ridley looks at the history of human progress, from the Industrial Revolution to the modern era, and argues that the world is getting better, despite the many challenges that exist. He argues that human progress is driven by innovation and exchange rather than government intervention or regulation. He also argues that this progress is driven by competition, which leads to the creation of better products and services. Finally, he argues that increasing globalization has made the world a better place, as the growth of the global economy has allowed people to access better goods and services and higher living standards.