On Monday (10/14), Nobel Prize-winning economist James A. Robinson, along with Darren Acemoglu and Simon Johnson, said they were not expecting it. “I'm a little surprised,” he said.
Robinson and his colleagues are recognized for their empirical and theoretical studies on understanding inequality in their analysis of wealth and inequality between countries.
Professor of Global Conflict Studies and Director of the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts at the University of Chicago, USA, he stands out for his influential research on the relationship between political power, institutions and prosperity.
The 64-year-old economist developed a particular interest in the study of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
This led him to teach courses at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá between 1994 and 2022, and to carry out field work in countries such as Bolivia, Colombia and Haiti.
Along with Daron Acemoglu, Robinson has published acclaimed books such as Economic origins of dictatorship and democracy, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty my The Narrow Corridor: States, Societies, and the Government of Liberty.
Robinson spoke to BBC News Mundo, the BBC's Spanish-language news service, about the challenges facing Latin America and the region.
BBC News World – Congratulations on the award. He has spent three decades researching the issue of inequality in the economic, but also social and political spheres. What do you consider to be the main contribution of your research?
James A. Robinson – Much of our work focuses on understanding inequality, trying to understand why the world is divided between rich countries and poor countries.
We ask how this difference arose historically and how it has persisted despite its enormous consequences for human well-being.
This has been the main focus of our research for the last 30 years.
In particular, we try to understand how institutions set the rules that affect prosperity and poverty in different societies.
BBC News Mundo – And, in recent decades, has inequality improved? Has progress been made or are we still stuck?
robinson – We have seen great improvements in poverty levels in some parts of the world, such as China, but not in others, such as sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
In countries like the United States, we see threats to social inclusion and prosperity.
The world still faces enormous challenges in building inclusive, prosperous and democratic societies.
BBC News Mundo – You mentioned Latin America. What are the main challenges currently facing the region?
robinson – I worked a lot in Latin America, in countries like Colombia, Chile and Bolivia.
It seems very auspicious to me that this gift is given on these days that commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus and his meeting with the Latin American tribes.
Our research shows that poverty and inequality in Latin America are deeply rooted in colonialism, the exploitation of indigenous peoples and slavery.
These inequalities are reproduced today in many ways.
Inclusion, marginalization and exploitation are key issues in Latin America. That's why he is poor and still trying to find a way out.
On the other hand, much of our work looks at how the United States has historically departed from these standards.
BBC News Mundo – Has there been any progress in the region on social inclusion issues?
robinson – Countries like Chile have made progress in recent decades since the fall of the dictatorship. We can think of countries like Costa Rica or Bolivia in terms of the rise of indigenous peoples.
But the rest of Latin America has gone in the opposite direction. Let's think about countries like Venezuela or Argentina that follow complex patterns, or Nicaragua and the strengthening of autocracy in the country.
BBC News Mundo – Do you consider that the deep inequality in the region is a great threat to democracy in Latin America? Studies show that people are willing to sacrifice democracy in favor of leaders perceived as populist.
robinson – Democracy is a relatively new system in Latin America. Let's think about Central America, which has only managed to develop more democratic institutions since the 1990s.
One problem is that people in Latin America were promised a lot about democracy, that their problems would end, and that is not true.
Democracy is disappointing in Latin America and people are disillusioned and looking for other solutions.
It takes time to build democratic institutions that work to transform people's lives.
See what is happening in El Salvador with President Nayeb Bukele. People have reasons to vote for him. They vote for him because of insecurity.
Think President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, these are difficult times. But, on the other hand, it can be said that Mexico has a real democracy.
This is a popular decision and we must recognize that it takes time for democracy to work and change people's lives.
Colombia may have had one of its most democratic elections since President Gustavo Pedro came to power, but it won't be easy and there are many challenges ahead.
BBC News Mundo – More than a decade ago you published an acclaimed book Why nations fail. What has changed in recent years since you conducted this analysis?
robinson – I see the world the same way. However, in the introduction of the book we talk about the “Arab Spring” and its potential to create greater inclusion in the Middle East.
But we discovered that this was a complete failure. This is an interesting example of how difficult it is to change the world towards creating more inclusive institutions.
BBC News World – As you said, creating a more inclusive world and reducing inequality is very difficult. What is the best way to approach this goal?
robinson – Create more inclusive political and economic institutions. This is the problem in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, the United States and many other places.
There are still many elements of what we call extractive institutions rather than inclusive institutions.
High levels of poverty, large increases in inequality, and declining social mobility persist in the United States.
I live in Chicago and you see this every day. Therefore, it is about including people in the political and economic sphere and providing them with opportunities.
BBC News World – Analyzing the challenges that this century brings us at a global level, what does the future hold for us?
robinson – Inequality challenges everything, it challenges the basic contract of societies. It is very difficult to have a culturally democratic society when there are enormous inequalities.
