The Mystery of Prosperity

Prosperity should not be the preserve of a privileged few, but the birthright of everyone.

New York Times bestselling author Napoleon Gómez Urrutia reveals the steps we need to take now to build a secure economy—and ensure a brighter future for all.

The Mystery of Prosperity is a timely and transformative work that reveals how nations build long-term prosperity across different political, economic, and cultural contexts and why so many fall short. Drawing on international case studies, historical insights, and his own experience in Mexico and beyond, global labour leader, politician, and Oxford-trained economist Napoleon Gómez Urrutia presents a bold and hopeful blueprint for fostering economic growth, expanding opportunity and dignity, and strengthening democratic resilience in the twenty-first century.

While the societies profiled in these pages are not perfect, they are proof that progress is possible when we have the courage to imagine—and fight for—a different kind of economy. At the heart of this book is a powerful expression of hope and possibility, grounded in the conviction that a better future is not only necessary but attainable.

In these pages, Urrutia shares eye-opening findings, including:

• Evidence-based analysis of how rising inequality and concentrated wealth in the current economic model threaten long-term prosperity and democratic stability.
• The proven policies and practices behind some of the world's most prosperous, equitable, and happy societies.
• A practical roadmap for creating stronger economies, healthier democracies, and broader opportunity for all.

As inequality widens, political divisions deepen, and technological and environmental disruptions reshape our world, The Mystery of Prosperity offers a timely and hopeful answer. Rejecting the failed assumptions of both austerity and winner-take-all economics, Urrutia makes the case for a new model of prosperity rooted in trust, democratic institutions, and shared opportunity.

Both a bold call for reform and a practical roadmap for renewal, this book shows how societies can become more equitable, resilient, and prosperous in the decades ahead.