Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed by James C. Scott examines how centralized governmental planning often disregards local knowledge, leading to failures in social and economic interventions. Through historical examples, Scott highlights the unintended consequences of state-imposed models on societies, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and incorporating local practices and perspectives in policy-making.

Informative

Challenging

Contemplative

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.4

6,847 ratings

83%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Seeing Like a State by James C. Scott is lauded for its insightful critique of state-led planning, highlighting the dangers of overly simplistic schemes that ignore local practices. Critics praise its interdisciplinary approach and engaging narrative, but some find its arguments repetitive. Overall, it's valued for its thought-provoking analysis of governance and social engineering.

Who Should Read Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed?

Ideal for readers interested in political science, sociology, or history, particularly those who enjoy critiques of state power and planning. Fans of The Art of Not Being Governed by Scott or The Road to Serfdom by Hayek would appreciate this analysis of authoritative schemes and their unintended consequences.

4.4

6,847 ratings

83%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Fun Facts

James C. Scott's work is widely recognized for analyzing how high-modernist ideologies often disregard local knowledge and practices, leading to unintended negative outcomes.

The title "Seeing Like a State" explores the metaphorical "lens" through which authoritarian regimes historically tried to impose order on society, contrasting it with more grassroots approaches.

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The book has gained interdisciplinary acclaim, with its ideas being influential not just in political science, but also in anthropology, history, and urban planning.

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Book Details

Pages

461

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre

Anthropology

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Social Science

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Philosophy

Setting