The Narrow Corridor
States, Societies, and the Fate of Liberty
Lavin Exclusive Speaker
Why do some countries thrive economically, while others fall into poverty? What does China’s unprecedented growth mean for America’s rank as the world’s largest economy? And how do our man-made institutions influence economic success (or lack thereof)? Co-author of the international bestseller Why Nations Fail, political scientist James Robinson reveals the political foundations upon which our economic growth lies. His eye-opening talks draw from decades of original research to explain why a radically inclusive economic model is beneficial for our freedom, prosperity, and innovation.
The concept of “liberty” as an enduring, stable constant, is a myth, says economist James Robinson. In his latest book The Narrow Corridor—co-authored with his frequent collaborator, MIT’s 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, Robinson 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.”
Robinson’s previous book, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty was the culmination of 15 years of groundbreaking research. Once again written alongside Acemoglu, the book explores the gap between rich and poor countries with historical evidence that dates all the way back to the Roman Empire, and criss-crosses the globe from Latin America to the United States. To date, Why Nations Fail has been translated into 32 languages and made both the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. Prior to that, Robinson and Acemoglu authored Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy together—another path-breaking tome that examines why different social groups prefer different political institutions. Commended as “brilliant,” by the Financial Times, this book offers a framework for understanding the very creation and consolidation of democracy itself.
Robinson is the Reverend Dr. Richard L. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies at the University of Chicago, as well as the Institute Director of The Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts. He was previously on the faculty at Harvard University, where he was the Wilbur A. Cowett Professor of Government. Robinson also previously served as an advisor to the World Bank’s Report on Governance. He holds a Ph.D from Yale University, an MA from the University of Warwick, and a BSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science.