Nobel prizes in economics are controversial affairs, understandably. Providing parsimonious answers to difficult development questions is a tough ask, and those who take it on open themselves to criticism. Some of it is useful, while others are unfortunately dressed up in scholarly language that betrays an ideological predisposition instead of deep engagement with the work. One critique recently brought to my attention deserves a response.

Scholars Ingrid Kvangraven, Surbhi Kesar and Devika Dutt (KKD) wrote a passionate critique of recent Nobel laureates Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson (AJR), whose work I have often written in admiration of, not least in Business Day...

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