Preference falsification, according to Timur Kuran, is the act of misrepresenting one's wants under perceived social pressures. In this book Kuran argues that the phenomenon not only is ubiquitous but has huge social and political consequences. Drawing on diverse intellectual traditions, including t[...]

In the year 1000, the economy of the Middle East was at least as advanced as that of Europe. But by 1800, the region had fallen dramatically behind - in living standards, technology, and economic institutions. In short, the Middle East had failed to modernize economically as the West surged ahead. W[...]