Why Nations Fail - James Robinson

Harvard Professor of Government, James Robinson presents a provocative new theory of political economy, explaining why the world is divided into nations with wildly differing levels of prosperity.

Chaired by Paul Collier, professor of economics at Oxford University


Our events are made possible with the support of our Fellowship. Support us by donating or applying to become a Fellow.

[rsaorg]

We want to encourage open debate on all subjects but we will remove your comments if you use racist or inflammatory language. Please be respectful when exchanging views.

[overlandertv]

fascinating BUT the Military Industrial Complex not mentioned

[xcm]

why the difference?

because criminality and conquest

[joebazooks]

I'm sure it's not a legal matter, but rather a matter of decency and respect.

[matthewstands]

In his 'Carta de Jamaica, ' Simon Bolivar said the same thing about extractive economies and how they trend toward tyrannical rule. He does ignore that Paraguay, because of this monolithic rule was perhaps the most advanced Latin American nation before the War of the Triple Alliance. Also, he does not explain how the autonomy necessary to develop human capital (the autonomy that the Virginia Company ceded to the colonists) could be posible when working with an organization like the World Bank.

[olliewarren]

I agree that yes institutional problems hinders development but surely resources play a much larger part?

[UniversalPotentate]

Fascinating discussion:
He says extractionism. I say Crony Capitalism or just Cronyism.
He says inclusiveness. I say Education.
He also descries the solution is empowerment through organization.
I would conclude that educating people how to empower themselves through organization is the bane of cronyism!

[xcm]

i think you're right on

civilization is the domesitication and passification of humanity

once that system stops people break into tribal factions and develop their own customs cultures and politics

[TrajanaFortis]

Interesting; the American colonies inherited a tradition of struggling for representative government dating from the Magna Carta to the English Civil Wars and the Glorious Revolution. The seed was there. In South America, any tendency was suffocated by an absolutist Spanish monarchy. Not to mention Protestant rebellion against Catholic dogma.

[polkadot]

Zimbabwe had thriving agriculture until Mugabe stole the land of white farmers and his thugs forced the white farmers into exile. The abuse of the white farmers is documented in a movie "Mugabe And The White African". Another good film about the abuse of white people living in Africa is a 1966 Italian documentary "Africa Addio."

[StunnedByStupidity]

Boy this is unintentionally ironic - watch ALL THE WAY THROUGH then RESTART and listen to THE VERY FIRST CLIP - made me smile...

[ChristianTarsney]

Those relations don't do anything to explain why Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are richer than Honduras or Sierra Leone. His account does.

[MNabove]

Recommended reading: Noam Chomsky - Profit over people (also explains the inequality in our world)

[joebazooks]

Only when the fruits of our labors are shared equally amongst all of mankind shall we, as a species, flourish. At best, human potential will be hindered, or remain completely unrealized, that is, until we reach a point where monetary reimbursement is not necessary, when financial incentive is not needed, and the people of the world are driven to "work" or action, instead, by their innermost passion and interest.

[loopstreet]

Dr. Robinsons' theory is not "new", black Americans have always recognized and understood these historical relevant facts about the differences between ethnic groups around the world. I applaud the professor for being honest and for sharing his study results. Maybe more people will start to understand our condition and begin to work in harmony to correct some of the wrong. Inequality = INIQUITY

[joebazooks]

Also, I'm surprised he hadn't mentioned global politics, in the sense of embargoes and things alike.

[OddWoN]

true, but it doesn't mean that this perspective is incorrect. theories provide a perspective on a problem. this theory is a stepping stone, that acknowledges the colonial context, that will help lead us to the complete picture.

[stjamal]

As long as there is incentive for people to exploit other people (money, wealth, power, etc), rather than to try to work together, we will always have corruption in the system. The mere fact that if you have a dollar which in turn makes your life easier and someone who does not has a much harder life should be able to show the inherent flaws of our economic system.

[MattDrane]

That's not race that is culture and that can easily change, race has nothing to do with it.

[MaheshMoodley]

Why Nations Fail? It is because we have a lack of vision and this, is due to seeing money as our only incentive as apposed to creating a more sustainable world.