Economic development Quote by Daron Acemoğlu
““Whether it is North Korea, Sierra Leone, or Zimbabwe, well show that poor countries are poor for the same reason that Egypt is poor. Countries such as Great Britain and the United States became rich because their citizens overthrew the elites who controlled power and created a society where political rights were much more broadly distributed, where the government was accountable and responsive to citizens, and where the great mass of people could take advantage of economic opportunities.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy by Daron Acemoğlu and James A. Robinson, 2006
Economic development depends on inclusive institutions that distribute power and opportunity, not on geography or culture.
In simple terms: Richness comes from shared political rights and accountability.
Key Takeaway
Promote inclusive institutions.
Themes
politics
economics
development
equality
Mood
optimistic
analytical
Type
analytical
policy.
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- civil society building
- education expansion
- anti‑corruption measures
Key Concepts
institutional economics
political economy
inclusive growth
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies overcome elite opposition to reform?
- What role does citizen participation play in sustaining growth?
A Different Perspective
Institutional change is slow and can face entrenched elite resistance.
