James A. Robinson

James A. Robinson is a British political scientist and economist renowned for his deep analysis of political and economic development, institutions, and the factors that influence poverty and prosperity across countries. He is best known for co-authoring the international bestseller 'Why Nations Fail' with Daron Acemoglu, which explores how economic and political institutions shape the fate of nations. Robinson's work spans across the fields of political science, economics, and history, making significant contributions to the understanding of how institutions impact economic performance and development.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Why Nations Fail

    This book delves into the origins of power, prosperity, and poverty, arguing that the fate of nations is determined not by geography, culture, or ignorance, but rather by the institutions that shape economic incentives and political power. It contrasts inclusive institutions, which enable and encourage participation by the great mass of people in economic activities that make the best use of their talents and skills, with extractive institutions, which are designed to extract incomes and wealth from one subset of society to benefit a different subset. Through a wide array of historical examples and analysis, the authors demonstrate how the interplay between these institutions has led to divergent paths of development among nations, suggesting that those with inclusive institutions tend to enjoy greater prosperity and success.

    The 9384th Greatest Book of All Time