James Robinson

“The Narrow Corridor takes us on a fascinating journey, across continents and through human history, to discover the critical ingredient of liberty. In these times, there can be no more important search—nor any more important book.”— George Akerlof, Nobel laureate in Economics

Our institutions are the overlooked key to strong countries and democracies, says economist and Nobel Prize winner James Robinson. James won the 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics for his groundbreaking work on the vital role of institutions in prosperity and innovation, encapsulated in his international bestseller Why Nations Fail (co-authored with his frequent collaborator, MIT’s Daron Acemoglu). Drawing on fascinating real-world stories like the town on the U.S./Mexico border that has a dramatic difference in prosperity on either side of the border, James reveals how we can strengthen our institutions—and through them, our communities, our countries, and our world.

In his latest book The Narrow Corridor—also co-authored with Daron Acemoglu—he explores the tenuous conditions of freedom, and why it flourishes in some states over others. From the American Civil Rights movement, to China’s Imperial traditions, to Europe’s fraught recent history, James deftly shows us that liberty is achieved only when a delicate balance between state and society is formed—one which, if left unchecked can easily lend itself to authoritarianism or anarchy. Incredibly relevant in today’s destabilizing moment, The Narrow Corridor was named one of the Best Books of the Year by both the Financial Times and Kirkus Reviews, with the latter calling it “Provocative and intuitively correct. An endlessly rewarding book.”

“Why Nations Fail is a splendid piece of scholarship and a showcase of economic rigor.”— The Wall Street Journal