approach reveals a point that is often overlooked. It is certainly desirable that societies with bad institutions should get better ones. We see that process going on today all over the world, in much of Asia, in parts of South America and even in Africa. But there is a more insidious process that is going on at the same time, whereby societies with good institutions gradually get worse ones. Why is this? Who exactly are the enemies of the rule of law, the people responsible for the marked deterioration that I detect in our institutions on both sides of the Atlantic? My answers to these questions owe a considerable debt to a now large body of
This discussion highlights a crucial and often neglected aspect of societal development. While it is important for regions with weak institutions to improve, we must also recognize the alarming trend of deterioration in societies that traditionally have strong institutions. This dual process is evident across various regions, including Asia, South America, and Africa, suggesting a global shift in institutional integrity.
The author raises critical questions about the forces undermining the rule of law and contributing to this decline in good institutions. The insights draw from Niall Ferguson's significant work, "The Great Degeneration: How Institutions Decay and Economies Die," which explores these themes in detail. Understanding the dynamics at play can help in addressing the challenges both emerging and established societies face regarding institutional integrity.
