SuperSalon

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 @ 03:00 PM EDT

What Happened to Liberal Democracy? - With Daron Acemoglu

Democracy is in a "tough stretch" - but the choices ahead remain ours to make.

Join us for this important conversation with Daron Acemoglu , 2024 Nobel Prize winner in Economic Sciences and MIT Institute Professor, whose groundbreaking research reveals why some nations prosper while others fail. As democracy faces its lowest support in the industrialized world and autocratic solutions gain appeal, Dr. Acemoglu brings both sobering warnings and genuine hope about the path forward.

In his Nobel Prize speech, Dr. Acemoglu warned that "inclusive institutions – including democratic participation, the rule of law, and broad access to economic opportunities" are now in danger. Yet he maintains that "what worries us also gives us hope. We can build better institutions and choose a direction for technology that creates more good jobs."

During this online salon, we will explore..

  • The democracy paradox: Why has democracy failed to deliver on its promises of shared prosperity, and how has this failure fueled the rise of authoritarian appeals?
  • The "Putin Path": What are the warning signs of democratic erosion, from government equity stakes in private companies to attacks on independent agencies? How do we recognize coercion dressed as policy?
  • Institutions vs. oligarchy: Are we witnessing the rise of oligarchy or its subjugation by executive power - and which is more dangerous for shared prosperity?
  • The AI disruption: How will artificial intelligence "disrupt everything, everywhere, all at once" - and can democratic institutions adapt quickly enough to govern it?
  • Trust and aspiration: How do we rebuild belief in democratic institutions when young people increasingly view autocratic solutions as acceptable?
  • The medium-term crisis: Why won't we see the true economic costs of institutional decay for 5-10 years - and how do we mobilize opposition when consequences are delayed?

Daron Acemoglu is Institute Professor of Economics at MIT and co-recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (with Simon Johnson and James Robinson) for research on how institutions shape global inequality. His seminal work established that inclusive institutions - those allowing broad political and economic participation - create more stable, prosperous societies.

Author of influential books including Why Nations Fail and Power and Progress, Dr. Acemoglu has become one of the most vital voices on the intersection of technology, institutions, and prosperity. His forthcoming book explores how to remake liberal ideals for the algorithmic age.

His recent warnings about the United States following a "Putin path" of executive overreach, his analysis of how presidents can destroy any company they choose, and his insights on why expertise has lost public trust make him essential for understanding our current moment.

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This 90-minute salon will feature a moderated conversation between Anna and Professor Acemoglu, followed by a conversation with the attendees. Come prepared with your questions about democracy's future, economic institutions, and the choices that lie ahead.

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