Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Investing With Impact summary
Jeremy K. Balkin
Why Finance is a Force for Good
13 mins
Brief summary
Investing With Impact by Jeremy K. Balkin is a guide for investors who want to do well by doing good. It shows how socially responsible investing can make a positive impact on the world, while also generating healthy returns.
Topics
Table of Contents
Investing With Impact
Summary of 5 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 5
The capitalist system isn’t inherently evil; it’s people that make it bad.
No tool is inherently good or bad. Morality enters the picture when tools are put to use. For instance, an axe can save lives when it’s used to chop wood to build a fire in winter; in the hands of a murderer, however, that same axe could be a weapon. Capitalism is a tool like any other.
Since human beings ultimately control the capitalist system, it’s up to us to decide whether capitalism is used for good or bad.
The capitalist system works by establishing a free market that is based on empowered individuals who are free to make their own decisions. Over the past 50 years, this system has brought prosperity and made the world a better place for many.
Thanks to free trade, the wealth of nations has risen, as have levels of employment and self-sustainability – all of which has improved living standards.
According to a 2014 World Bank report, approximately 80 percent of poverty reduction is due to a nation’s economic growth through free trade and free markets. Free trade and free markets are also what halved global poverty between 1981 and 2005.
Capitalism’s ameliorative effects have led most people to view capitalism in a positive light. In fact, a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center showed that 4.5 billion people in the world think that free-market capitalism is the best economic system.
Now, you might be thinking, “What about the 2008 financial crisis? Wasn’t this the result of a broken system?”
As a matter of fact, the crisis was the result of moral and societal issues. The people who made the financial decisions failed – not the system itself.
The crisis stemmed from the greedy and selfish actions of bankers who favored short-term earnings over long-term benefits and disregarded what was best for their communities.
In retrospect, the immoral actions of US energy company Enron foreshadowed the crisis that followed.
The company collapsed into bankruptcy after they tried to hide debts by exploiting loopholes and posting false numbers. Rather than trying to provide a helpful service, the company strove to improve the stock price and earn big returns and dividends.
The motives of bankers were similarly greed-driven. Rather than helping clients, they based their actions on self-interest alone.
Want to see all full key ideas from Investing With Impact?
Key ideas in Investing With Impact
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Investing With Impact about?
Investing With Impact (2015) explores how people have harnessed the power of capitalism to do good and improve society at large. As a number of ethical and philanthropic investors have shown, finance needn’t be a system of pure greed. Find out why the frequently demonized capitalist system may well be the secret to saving the world.
Investing With Impact Review
Investing With Impact (2018) is a thought-provoking exploration of how we can align our investments with our values, creating positive change while still achieving financial goals. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Delving into sustainable investing strategies, it provides practical guidance on how to invest in companies that prioritize environmental, social, and governance factors.
- Through compelling case studies and expert insights, it demonstrates that investors can generate competitive returns while making a positive impact on the world.
- With its engaging narrative and eye-opening statistics, the book challenges conventional investment practices and inspires readers to be more conscious investors.
Who should read Investing With Impact?
- Investors and entrepreneurs seeking to improve the world
- People looking for answers after the 2008 financial crisis
- Bankers who want to make money ethically
Categories with Investing With Impact
Book summaries like Investing With Impact
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Investing With Impact FAQs
What is the main message of Investing With Impact?
The main message of Investing With Impact is to align your investments with your values and create positive change in the world.
How long does it take to read Investing With Impact?
The reading time for Investing With Impact varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Investing With Impact a good book? Is it worth reading?
Investing With Impact is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in making a positive impact through their investments. It provides practical insights and guidance for socially responsible investing.
Who is the author of Investing With Impact?
Jeremy K. Balkin is the author of Investing With Impact.
What to read after Investing With Impact?
If you're wondering what to read next after Investing With Impact, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Other People’s Money by John Kay
- Goals-based Investing by Tony Davidow
- The Wisdom of Finance by Mihir A. Desai
- The Behavioral Investor by Daniel Crosby
- The Next Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley & Sarah Stanley Fallaw
- Rich Dad's Who Took My Money? by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- The Four Pillars of Investing by William J. Bernstein
- The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing by Mel Lindauer
- Common Sense on Mutual Funds by John C. Bogle
- Continuous-Time Finance by Robert C. Merton
Featured Titles
- Project Management Absolute Beginner's Guide
- Start Late, Finish Rich
- Stock Buybacks
- The Field Guide to Understanding 'human Error'
- The Invisible Billionaire: Daniel Ludwig
- The Lexus and the Olive Tree
- The New One Minute Manager
- The Shareholder Value Myth
- The XVA of Financial Derivatives
- Value At Risk