Examining Economic Growth in Senor and Singer's Start-Up Nation

Book Review of Start-up Nation

Synopsis and Evaluation

In the eye-opening and inspirational novel Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle, authors Senor and Singer have explained how Israel successfully flourished as an economic center of the world by having the most start-up companies out of any nation. The authors explored the diverse ways in how Israel accomplished this difficult task by analyzing cultural, military, educational and social aspects of Israel. By successfully relating all of these aspects, Senor and Singer provided their readers with a vivid picture of the path Israel paved for themselves on the road to top of the world. Moreover, it was fascinating to read how a small country like Israel with an approximate population of 7 million, who is in the middle of nations that are constantly in war, came to thrive as an economic center.

According to the authors, the very reason why Israelis are so confident in their transactions, claims, and demands is the same reason why so many companies trusted in them to start their company in their nation. Israel, a nation prominent for their skills in research and development, is the exemplary location for a new company. From the very beginning, families in Israel urge their children to be curious and learn about the world; when the children reach 18 and join the military, they’re taught discipline that others their age of different cultures lack. The perfect example in the book was given in Chapter 2, which was of a certain community leader who had to make a difficult decision in an unimaginable situation; a fellow soldier held as hostage by a terrorist who is hiding in an adjacent building connected to a school full of innocent children and teachers. The 23-year old soldier was able to successfully save the soldier, the children’s and teachers’ lives. Through this example, the authors emphasized and clarified their point of how Israeli men and women are trained from the beginning to carry substantial responsibilities that can’t be compared to the responsibilities of those say, 23-year adults in United States.

It is because of this military training and education that Israelis have a strong voice, don’t enjoy beating around the bush, and are direct with their opinions. For example, as explained in both the introduction and Chapter 1, when PayPal was going through a crisis due to frequent fraudulent activity within their company, it was thanks to the fearless and courageous convincing of an Israeli engineer that helped to save the company. This Israeli engineer, like many other Israelis in the variety of careers they choose, has had previous military training that’s allowed him to be confident in his speech to anyone in particular. Moreover, in the military of Israel, unlike in United States, the hierarchy of ranks doesn’t have as much as importance as does the function and purpose of a person within that army. The authors gave various examples of Israeli soldiers standing up for what they believe is right. With no promise of success, various organizations started their company in Israel with promises of financial support, because of Israel’s foundation of research and development shown through the action of their people, which ultimately goes back to their nation. And as can be seen, through the explanation of the military, education, culture, and social elements of Israel, the authors were able to explain how Israel came to be the leading nation in start-up companies. Additionally, the authors provided their readers and themselves insight on how other nations and companies might be successful by providing the explanation of the actions that paved the pathway of success for Israel.

In the Author’s Own Words

“Innovation often depends on having a different perspective. Perspective comes from experience. Real experience also typically comes with age or maturity. But in Israel, you get experience, perspective, and maturity at a younger age, because the society jams so many transformative experiences into Israelis when they’re barely out of high school. By the time they get to college, their heads are in a different place than those of their American counterparts”.

Reviewer’s Details

Currently, I’m pursuing a business major in St. Thomas University where I’m on the last few months of my educational training. I will incorporate my educational training in the business major to further my goals in my future career of export and import of products at large, as well as utilizing my skills to improve my family business. As a Turkish entrepreneur, my trip to Israel with the addition of reading this book allowed me to see and understand how Israel has flourished as a country, and how they have used the maximum of their little resources wisely enough to be a prominent nation of start-up companies, contrary to other notable nations such as Russia, Japan, and United States.