Greg Rosalski

Of course, this is a big sprawling theory. And to this day, not everyone is convinced. For example, some have pointed to India and China as contradicting their theory. Back in 1980, their economies were neck and neck. They both had roughly the same GDP per capita, about $300 per person per year.

This one very prominent example doesn't fit so neatly in Duran and James' theory. But they argue, of course, there are nuances to all this.

This one very prominent example doesn't fit so neatly in Duran and James' theory. But they argue, of course, there are nuances to all this.

This one very prominent example doesn't fit so neatly in Duran and James' theory. But they argue, of course, there are nuances to all this.

Yeah, there are still some big questions about this theory. Some have poked holes in their methodology. Others aren't quite convinced that you can boil down all institutions into two categories. Even the Nobel Prize Committee, when it announced their award, they made it clear that their theory is not the final word on why some nations are rich and other nations are poor.

Yeah, there are still some big questions about this theory. Some have poked holes in their methodology. Others aren't quite convinced that you can boil down all institutions into two categories. Even the Nobel Prize Committee, when it announced their award, they made it clear that their theory is not the final word on why some nations are rich and other nations are poor.

Yeah, there are still some big questions about this theory. Some have poked holes in their methodology. Others aren't quite convinced that you can boil down all institutions into two categories. Even the Nobel Prize Committee, when it announced their award, they made it clear that their theory is not the final word on why some nations are rich and other nations are poor.

The research provides this kind of hopeful message that we can build a fairer society and a better economy through the hard work of improving our institutions. That could mean like working to improve schools or keeping government officials accountable or like, I don't know, participating in an election or social movements.

The research provides this kind of hopeful message that we can build a fairer society and a better economy through the hard work of improving our institutions. That could mean like working to improve schools or keeping government officials accountable or like, I don't know, participating in an election or social movements.

The research provides this kind of hopeful message that we can build a fairer society and a better economy through the hard work of improving our institutions. That could mean like working to improve schools or keeping government officials accountable or like, I don't know, participating in an election or social movements.

Unlike past theories, which say a country is rich or poor because of its geography or its culture, this is a theory that gives us some agency over our nation's destinies.

Unlike past theories, which say a country is rich or poor because of its geography or its culture, this is a theory that gives us some agency over our nation's destinies.

Unlike past theories, which say a country is rich or poor because of its geography or its culture, this is a theory that gives us some agency over our nation's destinies.

And I'm Greg Rosalski. This is NPR. Thanks for listening.

And I'm Greg Rosalski. This is NPR. Thanks for listening.

And I'm Greg Rosalski. This is NPR. Thanks for listening.