The Narrow Corridor by Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson Summary

The Narrow Corridor examines how societies balance state power and civil liberties to achieve lasting freedom. Acemoğlu argues that liberty emerges when a "Shackled Leviathan" state—strong enough to enforce laws but constrained by societal accountability—navigates a fragile equilibrium between chaos and authoritarianism. Historical case studies, from the Magna Carta to modern democracies, illustrate this dynamic pathway.

This book is ideal for political science students, policymakers, and readers interested in governance. It offers insights for those analyzing democratic institutions, state-building challenges, or historical patterns of liberty. Critics of authoritarianism and advocates for civil society will find its frameworks particularly relevant.

Yes, for its rigorous analysis of liberty’s prerequisites. Acemoğlu blends economics, history, and political theory to explain why some nations thrive while others falter. However, critics note oversimplification in applying the "Shackled Leviathan" model to societies with entrenched inequality or non-Western governance structures.

The "Shackled Leviathan" refers to a state powerful enough to provide public goods (security, infrastructure) but restrained by institutional checks and active civil society. This balance prevents authoritarianism while avoiding the chaos of weak governance, as seen in the UK’s post-Magna Carta evolution.

Acemoğlu traces liberty’s emergence to societal pushback against centralized power. For example, the Glorious Revolution (1688) weakened monarchic authority in Britain, enabling parliamentary oversight. Such milestones reflect the "Red Queen effect," where society and state continuously adapt to maintain balance.

Critics argue the book undervalues non-Western governance models and oversimplifies societies like ancient Athens, which coexisted with slavery. Others question its dismissal of pre-modern social norms as inherently oppressive, rather than adaptable foundations for liberty.

This concept describes the relentless competition between state and society to prevent either from dominating. Like the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland, both must "run faster" to stay in the corridor—expanding capabilities while preserving accountability, as seen in U.S. civil rights movements.

Key examples include:

• Magna Carta (1215): Limited monarchic power, laying groundwork for British constitutionalism.
• Glorious Revolution (1688): Established parliamentary sovereignty.
• U.S. Constitution: Created checks and balances to shackle federal authority.

The book warns that democracies backslide without vigilant civil society. For instance, weakened press freedom or judicial independence can tip states into despotism. It advocates grassroots movements to counter authoritarian trends, as seen in 20th-century civil rights reforms.

This term describes rigid social structures—like feudalism or tribalism—that stifle innovation and liberty by prioritizing tradition over meritocracy. Acemoğlu contrasts these with "participatory norms" that empower broad civic engagement, as in Renaissance-era Italian city-states.

Both books link institutions to prosperity, but The Narrow Corridor focuses on liberty’s fragility, whereas Why Nations Fail emphasizes extractive vs. inclusive economies. The newer work delves deeper into civil society’s role, using historical narratives rather than purely economic analysis.

Acemoğlu argues despotic regimes can enter the corridor via bottom-up pressure, citing South Korea’s transition from dictatorship to democracy. However, this requires preexisting egalitarian norms and organized dissent—factors often suppressed in modern autocracies.