‘Why Nations Fail’: Lessons for Indonesia
Nobel laureate James A. Robinson says Indonesia’s challenge is not geography but building institutions that spread opportunity and keep power from becoming too concentrated.
Why Nations Fail: Lessons for Indonesia
Indonesia faces challenges beyond geography, according to Nobel laureate economist James A. Robinson. The country struggles with unequal power distribution and lack of inclusive institutions. Forest and land fires persist, prices rise while purchasing power declines, and policies seem disconnected from people's daily lives. These issues prompt the question: Where is Indonesia headed?
In an effort to discuss these concerns, Gramedia organized a book talk featuring Robinson's Indonesian translation of the 2012 book by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson, "Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty." The event drew a large crowd and took place at Gramedia Makarya in Central Jakarta on August 29.
Robinson, a professor at the University of Chicago and co-recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, acknowledged the excitement of being in Jakarta to share his book. He emphasized that inclusive societies do not emerge due to elite benevolence but rather as a result of people demanding change and more equitable institutions.
Robinson's visit to Indonesia highlights the country's ongoing struggle to balance power and promote prosperity, drawing attention to the need for inclusive policies that address the concerns of the general populace.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
