While the writing in the article is interesting, it makes the book appear less serious and thoughtful than it really is. I have just started my reading so I will post something later on about my full impressions.
It appears, however, that De Soto makes clear that an economic system, alone, will not be sufficient to make a society properous...you must have the Rule of Law and a firm Defense from Arbitrary Power. In other words, Whiggish tradition as exemplified in Anglo-American success copied in some of Western civilizations but not others. Prescriptive Property Rights being the foundation of how such a Whiggish system relates to Capitalism's ability to harness broad based participation legitamacy.