How long does it take to read Kicking Away the Ladder?
Kicking Away the Ladder by Ha-Joon Chang takes about 3 hours 36 minutes to read at 250 words a minute.
About 3 hours 36 minutes
A weekend read
First published 2002. 196 pages, about 53,900 words.
8 days at 30 minutes a day
Estimate based on 275 words per page.
At other speeds
| Slow, 150 words a minute | 5 hours 59 minutes |
| Average, 250 words a minute | 3 hours 36 minutes |
| Fast, 400 words a minute | 2 hours 15 minutes |
The page count is the median across 4 editions, so your copy may differ. How we calculate.
About the book
Kicking Away the Ladder Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective is a 2002 book by economist Ha-Joon Chang. It examines how now-developed nations achieved their prosperity through interventionist policies and argues that similar tools are often denied to developing countries today. The work challenges orthodox free-market prescriptions in international development economics. Key facts Author: Ha-Joon Chang Published: 2002 Subject: Economic development and policy history Publisher: Anthem Press Awards: 2003 Myrdal Prize (European Association for Evolutionary Political Economy) Historical argument Chang traces how countries such as Britain, the United States, and Germany industrialized through protectionism, subsidies, and state involvement. He contends that these policies were later obscured as those nations promoted free trade to others. The title metaphor—“kicking away the ladder”—refers to rich countries removing the means that once helped them climb to economic success. Critique of neoliberalism The book directly disputes the neoliberal consensus advanced by institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, which often condition aid or loans on liberalization and privatization. Chang argues that these prescriptions can trap poorer nations in underdevelopment by preventing strategic state intervention. Reception and impact Kicking Away the Ladder became a foundational text in heterodox and development economics, influencing debates on trade policy and globalization. It has been cited in policy discussions about economic sovereignty and used as a counterpoint to the World Trade Organization’s free-trade model. The book also helped establish Ha-Joon Chang’s reputation as a leading critic of economic orthodoxy. Legacy The book’s historical lens inspired follow-up works by Chang, including Bad Samaritans and 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism. It continues to be assigned in development studies and economic…
Subjects: Economic development, Economic policy, Foreign economic relations, History, International economic relations, Political aspects
