The Narrow Corridor

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In their latest work, Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson argue that the rise and fall of nations hinges on the strength of their institutions rather than culture, geography, or chance. They present a new theory on liberty, supported by extensive evidence from current events and historical examples. Liberty is not a natural state; throughout history, the strong have often oppressed the weak, with freedom suppressed by force or entrenched customs. The balance between state power and societal strength is crucial for liberty to flourish. The authors challenge the Western myth that political liberty is a stable outcome of enlightenment, asserting instead that it requires ongoing struggle. They explore various historical moments, such as the American Civil Rights Movement and the Zapotec civilization, to illustrate the efforts needed to achieve and maintain liberty. Conversely, they analyze examples from Chinese imperial history, colonialism, and the caste system in India to demonstrate how nations can drift away from liberty. In today's era of significant destabilization, the authors emphasize the urgent need for liberty, warning that the path to it is becoming increasingly perilous. The loss of political freedom threatens not only individual rights but also the prosperity and safety that depend on liberty, leading nations toward ruin.