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James A. Robinson

James A. Robinson

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James A. Robinson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and Institute Director of the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts, is University Professor at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. He is the co-author (with Daron Acemoglu) of The Narrow Corridor: States, Societies, and the Fate of Liberty, and Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty.

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  1. Why Taiwan Matters
    acemoglu51_ Central News AgencyHandoutGetty Images_pelositaiwan Central News Agency/Handout/Getty Images

    Why Taiwan Matters

    Aug 9, 2022 Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson see the island as evidence against culturally deterministic explanations of authoritarianism and democracy.

  2. Why Trumpian Populism Failed
    jarobinson7_Joe RaedleGetty Images_trump cpac rally Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    Why Trumpian Populism Failed

    Mar 9, 2021 James A. Robinson shows how US democratic institutions prevailed, and why they remain vulnerable to wannabe autocrats.

  3. How to Stem Ukraine’s Corruption
    acemoglu11_Spencer PlattGetty Images_ukrainegirlflowerstape Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    How to Stem Ukraine’s Corruption

    Oct 14, 2019 Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson show that it takes a society-wide effort for countries to escape the grip of kleptocratic institutions.

  4. The Constitution Won’t Save American Democracy
    acemoglu10_Brendan SmialowskiGetty Images_constitution Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

    The Constitution Won’t Save American Democracy

    Sep 24, 2019 Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson argue that only social mobilization can remove the threat President Donald Trump poses to US institutions.

  5. Istanbul Shows How Democracy Is Won
    acemoglu8_ Burak KaraGetty Images_imamoglu istanbul Burak Kara/Getty Images

    Istanbul Shows How Democracy Is Won

    Jun 25, 2019 Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson draw lessons from the opposition's victory over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s authoritarian party.

  1. Anadolu/Getty Images
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    Democracy Needs Workers

    Bartosz M. Rydliński urges center-left parties in the West to reconnect with voters who increasingly support far-right populists.
  2. op_acemoglu6_Getty Images_AI Getty Images
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    The World Needs a Pro-Human AI Agenda

    Daron Acemoglu

    Judging by the current paradigm in the technology industry, we cannot rule out the worst of all possible worlds: none of the transformative potential of AI, but all of the labor displacement, misinformation, and manipulation. But it’s not too late to change course.

     fears that the tech industry’s current priorities will result in the worst of all possible worlds.
  3. fofack30_ Andrew BurtonGetty Images_trump Andrew Burton/Getty Images
    1

    Big Money Beat Bigger Money in the US Election

    Hippolyte Fofack warns that the ultra-rich are corroding US democracy, even if they can’t always spend their way to power.
  4. rogoff256_Sean GallupGetty Images_brandenburg airport Sean Gallup/Getty Images
    3

    Europe’s Economy Is Stalling Out

    Kenneth Rogoff explains why the EU’s long-term economic slump is not likely to end anytime soon.
  5. agar8_Heritage Images GettyImages_retrofuturism Heritage Images/Getty Images
    1

    The Techno-Realist Manifesto

    Nicholas Agar & Stuart Whatley question the widespread belief that all our biggest problems will soon succumb to engineered solutions.
  6. sierakowski113_Sean GallupGetty Images)_merkel Sean Gallup/Getty Images
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    Has Angela Merkel No Shame?

    Sławomir Sierakowski marvels at the former German chancellor’s denial of her own role in Europe’s current malaise.
  7. james224_Francis LochonGettyImages_ussr_dolls Francis Lochon/Getty Images
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    Is America the Next Soviet Union?

    Harold James sees parallels between the United States’ political dysfunction and that of its twentieth-century adversary.
  8. haass174_Mohammad AbushamaAnadolu via Getty Images_ceasefire Mohammad Abushama/Anadolu via Getty Images
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    A New Chance for the Middle East

    Richard Haass sees hope for long-term ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza if political leaders recognize their own interests.
  9. naim1_MirrorpixGettyImages_harold_macmillan_resignation Mirrorpix/Getty Images
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    The Unpleasant Surprises That Await Trump

    Moisés Naím thinks the US president-elect – and his voters – are in for a rude domestic and international awakening.

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