I have my doubts about the conclusion of James Robinson, namely (to paraphrase) that Africa was not underdeveloped but differently developed by 1880. We, obviously, know less about the Germanic culture and polity before they made contact with the Romans than wat we know about the Africans in 1880, but maybe the Germanic barbarians were also only 'differently developed'.
I have my doubts about the conclusion of James Robinson, namely (to paraphrase) that Africa was not underdeveloped but differently developed by 1880. We, obviously, know less about the Germanic culture and polity before they made contact with the Romans than wat we know about the Africans in 1880, but maybe the Germanic barbarians were also only 'differently developed'.
I read Daron's book Why Nations Fail when it first came out. Very thorough provoking.