The authors of the international bestseller "Why Some Countries Are Rich and Others Are Poor" explore in their new book how some countries develop and secure freedom for citizens, while others descend into despotism or lawlessness. Freedom arises when a delicate and permanent balance is established between the state and society, between elites and citizens. But how can they learn not only to compete, but also to cooperate? How to walk the narrow corridor leading to freedom, sandwiched between despotism and anarchy? And why is this corridor so narrow? Answering such questions, D. Acemoglu and D.A. Robinson help us understand the past and present, as well as look into the future.