The Pearson Institute at the University of Chicago

“The work of The Pearson Institute and this Global Forum really go to the heart of trying to understand how we achieve peace, resolve conflict, and address great suffering in the world in the most rigorous way,” said Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, dean and Sydney Stein Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago and Pearson Faculty Affiliate. Pearson Fellow Alumna Reema Saleh covered the 2024 Pearson Global Forum for The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Read her review here: https://lnkd.in/gxG45Brz

With groundbreaking research in the history of political violence, terrorism, and nationalism, Pearson Faculty Affiliate Richard English guides the listener through the main concepts and structures to understand valid approaches for countering terror. Listen to the episode now! https://lnkd.in/gaxC99Jf

The Pearson Institute at the University of Chicago 2024 Global Forum focused on the mechanisms of peace processes, trying to bridge the gap between academic research and policymaking. Learn more about this year's forum here: https://har.rs/4fam59v

Join The Pearson Institute and International House at the University of Chicago on November 20 for a discussion with authors Narges Bajoghli and Vali Nasr, moderated by Pearson Faculty Affiliate Paul Poast. Register at the link! https://lnkd.in/gmVMW4by

On October 18, the Pearson Institute hosted the seventh annual Pearson Global Forum, focusing on the theme of negotiation and agreement. Check out the Chicago Maroon's coverage of the Forum here: https://lnkd.in/gADS_NB4

Each year, The Pearson Institute’s Research and Innovation Fund provides grants to University of Chicago faculty and PhD students conducting data-driven research on global conflict. Interested? The application is now open! https://bit.ly/3HUuWxI

Pearson Institute Director James A. Robinson, winner of the 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. Photo by Jason Smith. https://lnkd.in/gwTq_QN5

BREAKING NEWS The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.” ? This year’s economic sciences laureates – Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson – have demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for a country’s prosperity. Societies with a poor rule of law and institutions that exploit the population do not generate growth or change for the better. The laureates’ research helps us understand why. ? When Europeans colonised large parts of the globe, the institutions in those societies changed. This was sometimes dramatic, but did not occur in the same way everywhere. In some places the aim was to exploit the indigenous population and extract resources for the colonisers’ benefit. In others, the colonisers formed inclusive political and economic systems for the long-term benefit of European migrants. ? The laureates have shown that one explanation for differences in countries’ prosperity is the societal institutions that were introduced during colonisation. Inclusive institutions were often introduced in countries that were poor when they were colonised, over time resulting in a generally prosperous population. This is an important reason for why former colonies that were once rich are now poor, and vice versa. ? Some countries become trapped in a situation with extractive institutions and low economic growth. The introduction of inclusive institutions would create long-term benefits for everyone, but extractive institutions provide short-term gains for the people in power. As long as the political system guarantees they will remain in control, no one will trust their promises of future economic reforms. According to the laureates, this is why no improvement occurs. ? However, this inability to make credible promises of positive change can also explain why democratisation sometimes occurs. When there is a threat of revolution, the people in power face a dilemma. They would prefer to remain in power and try to placate the masses by promising economic reforms, but the population are unlikely to believe that they will not return to the old system as soon as the situation settles down. In the end, the only option may be to transfer power and establish democracy. ? “Reducing the vast differences in income between countries is one of our time’s greatest challenges. The laureates have demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for achieving this,” says Jakob Svensson, chair of the committee for the prize in economic sciences. Learn more Press release: https://bit.ly/4dpfV3u Popular information: https://bit.ly/47LYGsg Advanced information: https://bit.ly/3TLvprw

Watch the 2024 Nobel Prize News Conference for Prof. James A. Robinson, director of The Pearson Institute at the University of Chicago at 11 a.m. CST https://har.rs/4hg5BOG

Prof. James A. Robinson, UChicago’s newest Nobel Prize laureate, at his home Oct. 14, after learning he was awarded a share of the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2024. Learn more: https://ms.spr.ly/6042m4z9a