How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle (Principles)

I thoroughly enjoyed How Countries Go Broke:The Big Cycle (Principles) because it taught me how countries typically progress through different stages. Because the US has the largest economy and most powerful military, special emphasis was placed on understanding where the US in its progress through the short- and long-term economic cycles.Before reading this book, I encourage you to refresh your knowledge of how money is created. You can either review your economic textbooks or ask your favorite artificial intelligence engine to provide you with a summary. Knowing how money is created will greatly assist you in your reading.As I reflect on current developments around the globe, I come to appreciate this book even more because the developments fit with Dalio’s overall framework.I highly recommend this book.

How Countries Go Broke is a sharp, eye-opening look at how nations end up in financial crisis. The authors explain complex topics like debt, inflation, and defaults in a surprisingly easy-to-follow way, even if you’re not an economist.Real-world examples (like Greece and Argentina) make it feel more like a thriller than a textbook. Some parts get a bit technical, but overall, it’s a must-read to understand how global economies work — and why they sometimes fail.Highly recommended for anyone interested in finance, politics, or current events.

This is written by a 75 year old investor who built the Bridgewater Hedge Fund and made a personal fortune. The book explains how governments manage the economy by controlling money availability and interest rates while a natural economic cycle happens - sometimes to economic disaster. An analysis is given at the end of the book of where the US economy stands and offers suggestions about steps that should be taken to avoid economic disaster. This book is heavy reading with many graphs showing economic history of many countries and some economic projections. The author provides bold type passages throughout the book with suggestions that casual readers can skip the rest of the text and still get the important economic message. This is an economic education for anyone who reads through it, investor or just a curious person.

I ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT DALIO SAYS " KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW " The deficit is huge we know that. Dalio doesn't tell me what to do but to look at history here and other countries. Personally I have lived thru many recessions. I've heard and remember most of the " Talk. " I especially remember 2008 and how close we came.

Let’s get this straight. I don’t know anything about the topic. I can’t even spell ekonomie.I bought this with my misgivings about our future. I work for an aluminum custom boatbuilder. We burn through a lot of aluminum every month. I’m guessing Tariffs are very hard to deal with, even this early in the game.Every topic that comes up in the book requires me to break it down in notes, as if it’ll be on a test. I’m all too afraid that in my lifetime (I’m 65), there will be.Ray Dalio does a great job with the topics. It is very readable.One element he has included is emboldened ‘cliff notes’. If I want to, I can skip ahead to the next bold text and I could get the picture.I’m confident I’ll walk away well informed.

Interesting perspective. Worth studying.His concept of a Big Cycle is a bit deterministic, but there is a rhythm to order and disorder.Dalio is best when he considers the debt cycles and stays in his home court.

Dalio's deep research into historical debt cycles worldwide sets the stage for a compelling argument for his backup plan for the US debt crisis called the 3%, 3-Part Plan. I recommend that you read this book to get a sobering understanding of where the US currently is financially and how vulnerable we are to both internal and external threats. Compounding the problem is how divided our people and leaders have become.

The last half of this book provides information about our country and our spending habits. A worthwhile read.