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James A. Robinson

James A. Robinson

8 commentaries

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. elerian174_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_economy Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
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    Once Again, It Was the Economy, Stupid

    Mohamed A. El-Erian

    The economy played a critical role in the 2024 presidential race, creating the conditions not only for Donald Trump to trounce Kamala Harris, but also for a counter-elite to usher in a new power structure. Will the Democrats and “establishment” experts get the message?

     explains how and why Democrats failed to connect with US voters’ pocketbook realities.
  2. COP29 Accelerating the Transition to a Decarbonized Future Event Thumbnail
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    PS Events: COP29 Live From Baku

    PS editors present the COP29 Live From Baku event.
  3. barfi27_MANDEL NGANAFP via Getty Images_trumpnetanyahu Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
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    Trumpian Turmoil Is Coming to the Middle East

    Barak Barfi thinks that the regional leaders who are cheering now may soon be pining for a less capricious leader.
  4. galbraith38_MandelNganGettyImages_democrats_funeral Mandel Ngan/Getty Images
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    The Democrats Committed Suicide This Year

    James K. Galbraith thinks the party has only itself to blame for losing the 2024 election on low voter turnout.
  5. chellaney181_JAM STA ROSAAFP via Getty Images_south china JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images
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    America Must Stand Up to Asia's Bully

    Brahma Chellaney urges Donald Trump’s incoming administration to push back against China’s aggressive expansionism.
  6. terzi6_green transition degrowth Getty Images
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    Inclusive Finance Is the Key to Climate Action

    Sophie Sirtaine calls for COP29 to address the overlooked question of how to channel funds to vulnerable communities.
  7. tharoor196_Yawar NazirGetty Images_ladakh Yawar Nazir/Getty Images
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    India’s Troubled Truce with China

    Shashi Tharoor fears that the recent agreement ending the military standoff in Ladakh will not bring the expected benefits.
  8. nsofor10_XinhuaNewsAgencyGettyImages_cancer_screening Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
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    Reducing Men’s Cancer Burden

    Ifeanyi M. Nsofor outlines a holistic approach that combines personal responsibility with community and government action.
  9. acemoglu80_ Joshua LottGetty Images_democrats Joshua Lott/Getty Images
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    The Trump Shock Is the Democrats’ Fault

    Daron Acemoglu

    While the Democrats have won some recent elections with support from Silicon Valley, minorities, trade unions, and professionals in large cities, this coalition was never sustainable. The party has become culturally disconnected from, and disdainful of, precisely the voters it needs to win.

     thinks Kamala Harris lost because her party has ceased to be the political home of American workers.

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