Umit GumustenIn a world where the balance between state and society is always a determinant factor in the fate of nations, “The Narrow Corridor” by Daron Acemoğlu and James A. Robinson gives a completely new look to the complex relations between power and freedom.
This is not yet another book about politics or governance; rather, it seeks answers for very fundamental questions regarding why some societies can successfully prosper under liberty while others break down into tyranny or chaos.
The general argument of this book would, therefore, be that the road to freedom is a narrow one-hence the title, “The Narrow Corridor.” Acemoğlu and Robinson postulate that societies walk a fine line between too much state control and too little of it.
In fact, if the state becomes too powerful, it risks turning into a Leviathan-an oppressive, coercive force that crushes individual freedoms. Conversely, if it is too weak, the result can be downward spiraling into a society characterized by disorder and lawlessness.
According to the authors’ thinking, freedom can only flower in the face of tension between a strong state and a strong society, each pushing against the other. Such would create a kind of “Red Queen effect,” whereby both sides are always adjusting and evolving with the explicit purpose of keeping the other at bay.
The book illustrates this with many examples, from historical to regional. One of the most striking contrasts Acemoğlu and Robinson identify is that of China and Europe.
While China developed an early strong centralized state, which allowed for efficient governance and rapid development, this very same state opened the door to thousands of years of authoritarian rule. The mere fragmentation of the landscape on the European continent, however, meant that no single power could dominate for long. It was this competitive political environment that drove states and societies in their eternal negotiations over power and thus gave birth to the democratic freedoms enjoyed by many countries in Europe today.
But freedom is never a sure thing. Perhaps the leading message of “The Narrow Corridor” is that societies have to work at staying within this narrow corridor-it is not something to be achieved and then forgotten. The authors give examples of countries which once enjoyed freedom but fell into authoritarianism or chaos because that delicate balance was lost. And they warn that it could happen to any society, including those which currently enjoy democracy and liberty.
The other fascinating aspect in the book covers the role that social movements and institutions play. The authors emphasize the need for not just the state to be strong but also society. In other words, it is about civil organizations, free media, and an active citizenry through which the state is held responsible for its acts to prevent any concentration of power. This instinctively reminds one of how grassroots activism and finally ordinary individuals shape the course of their nations.
So, what does “The Narrow Corridor” teach us? First, freedom is fragile. It is not a sure thing in even those countries with very long histories of democratic societies. The balance between state and society has to be constantly managed. Second, too little or too much state power can be fatal. A strong society needs a strong state, but one that serves the people, not vice versa.
Lastly, the struggle for liberty is never really won. It demands constant vigilance, adaptability, and, above all, involvement of one and all.
The Narrow Corridor” is a powerful and instructive journey for anyone trying to gain a deep yet accessible explanation of what makes societies free. It is a call to remember that freedom’s future does not belong to the chosen few, but rather to unceasing struggle between the state and society-a struggle we are part of.
