NTU Raymond Soong Chair Professorship of Distinguished Research Dr. James A. Robinson, 2024 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences

The NTU Raymond Soong Chair Professorship of Distinguished Research was established through the generous endowment of Mr. Raymond Soong, founder of Lite-On Group, since 2023. This lecture session features Dr. James A. Robinson, recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, as the distinguished speaker. All NTU faculty, staff, and students are warmly welcome to attend.

 

• Information:

Speaker: Dr. James A. Robinson

Topic: “Why Nations Fail”

Date: 10:00-11:30, Dec. 17th (Wed.), 2025

Venue: NTU Shih-Liang Chien Lecture Hall, 2^nd floor, Zonghe Lecture Building

Language: English

 

• Introduction:

Dr. James A. Robinson is a Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago. His research focuses on the relationship between political institutions, economic development, and historical evolution, and his scholarly influence extends across the globe.

In 2024, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his groundbreaking work—conducted with longtime collaborator Daron Acemoglu—demonstrating how institutional differences shape national prosperity and decline. This recognition not only affirms the importance of his research but also solidifies his position as one of the leading figures in contemporary economics and political science.

Professor Robinson’s work integrates theoretical modeling, historical analysis, and extensive field investigations, offering deep empirical insights into the political and economic structures of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. His co-authored book Why Nations Fail has been translated into more than forty languages and continues to influence global policy debates and academic research.

In this lecture, Professor Robinson will draw on his profound expertise in economics and his forward-looking perspective to examine how institutions shape the fate of nations, and to discuss the challenges and future directions of democratic systems in an era of rising global uncertainty.

 

• Agenda:

09:20 – 10:00 Registration and Admission

10:00 – 10:05 Opening Remarks

10:05 – 11:05 Keynote Speech

11:05 – 11:25 Q&A Session

11:25 – 11:30 Trophy Presentation and Group Photo Session

 

• Note:

1. Registration Link: https://forms.gle/GdoShNq3rFmdmPS27
2. Capacity: 400 seats. Please register in advance. If you are unable to attend, kindly cancel your registration early. Remaining seats will be opened for on-site registration.
3. Contact: Ms. Cheng, School of Political Science and Economics, National Taiwan University (Phone: 02-3366-1960; Email: wanling@ntu.edu.tw)