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The Narrow Corridor
576 pages, 2019
From the authors of the international bestseller Why Nations Fail comes a new big-picture framework for understanding liberty and threats to it--and how liberty can continue to thrive despite new challenges.
In Why Nations Fail, Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson argued that countries rise and fall based not on culture, geography, or chance, but on the power of their institutions.
In this book, they build a new theory about liberty and how to achieve it, drawing evidence from both current affairs and disparate threads of world history.
Liberty is hardly the “natural” order of things. In most places and at most times, the strong have dominated the weak; human freedom has been quashed by force or by customs and norms. Either state have been too weak to protect individuals from these threats or states have been too strong for people to protect themselves from despotism.
In The Narrow Corridor, Daron Acemoğlu explores the delicate balance between state and society. He argues that for freedom to flourish, both must exert pressure on each other. Too much power in the hands of the state leads to despotism, while too little results in anarchy. It's a fascinating look into the dynamics of power.
Acemoğlu introduces the concept of the 'Red Queen Effect'. This is the idea that society and the state must continually evolve and adapt to keep up with each other. It's a constant race, just like the Red Queen's race in 'Alice in Wonderland'. This concept is a key takeaway from the book and will make you see societal development in a new light.
The book emphasizes the importance of institutions in shaping the destiny of nations. Acemoğlu argues that inclusive institutions, which provide a level playing field and empower the broad mass of people, are key for economic growth and political stability. It's a compelling argument that will make you rethink the role of institutions in society.
Acemoğlu uses the term 'Shackled Leviathan' to describe a state that is powerful enough to enforce law and order but is also constrained by society. This balance is crucial for liberty to thrive. It's a thought-provoking concept that will make you see the relationship between state and society in a new way.
The Narrow Corridor teaches us that maintaining the balance between state and society requires constant vigilance. Acemoğlu warns that freedom is always under threat, and it's up to us to protect it. This is a powerful message that will inspire you to take a more active role in your society.
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The Narrow Corridor is a big, ambitious book that presents a new framework for understanding the forces that shape our societies.
Bill Gates - Microsoft Co-founderThe Narrow Corridor is a magisterial work, explaining the concept of liberty and how it is the heart of western civilization.
Fareed Zakaria - Journalist, Political Commentator