Douglass C. North Books
North (1920–2015) was an American economist and Nobel laureate known for his work on institutional economics and economic history.
Known for: State Formation and Political Order: The Political Economy of Institutions and Decisions
Books by Douglass C. North
State Formation and Political Order: The Political Economy of Institutions and Decisions
This book explores how states form and maintain political order through the interaction of institutions, organizations, and economic incentives. Building on the framework of limited and open access orders, the authors analyze how societies transition from fragile, personalized political systems to stable, impersonal ones that support economic growth and democracy.
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Conceptual Foundations
Our starting point is the interrelationship between violence, organizations, and institutions. No society can function without resolving the problem of violence. When multiple groups have the capacity for organized violence, social order depends on establishing credible agreements among them. Instit...
From State Formation and Political Order: The Political Economy of Institutions and Decisions
The Logic of Limited Access Orders
Most historical societies have dealt with violence by limiting access to power and resources. We call these systems limited access orders or 'natural states'. Their logic is straightforward: elites cooperate to monopolize valuable rights—land, trade, political offices—in exchange for maintaining pea...
From State Formation and Political Order: The Political Economy of Institutions and Decisions
About Douglass C. North
North (1920–2015) was an American economist and Nobel laureate known for his work on institutional economics and economic history.
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North (1920–2015) was an American economist and Nobel laureate known for his work on institutional economics and economic history.
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