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Podcast: New Books in Economic and Business History
Episode: Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson, "The Narrow Corridor: States, Societies, and the Fate of Liberty" (Penguin, 2020)
Description: Does a strong state mean a weak market? This is a common misconception amongst economists. Many view the state as either taxing and regulating the market too much or too little. However, the truth is that state capacity is just not well conceptualized in economic theory.James A. Robinson is a political scientist, economist, and professor at the University of Chicago. His recent book, co-authored with Daron Acemoglu, The Narrow Corridor: States, Societies, and the Fate of Liberty, explores the critical balance needed between state and society and how liberty can continue to thrive despite threats from bo...