Daron Acemoğlu disputes The Economist's critique of his Nobel-winning research

Nobel laureate Daron Acemoğlu has responded to a critical article published by The Economist, describing the piece as an “assassination of reputation.” The publication targeted Acemoğlu’s academic work, his commentary on American politics, and his research regarding low birth rates.

The Economist’s critique specifically focused on the research conducted by Acemoğlu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson, which formed the basis for the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics. While acknowledging his massive influence and academic output, the magazine questioned the persuasiveness of his arguments and raised concerns regarding the reliability of historical mortality data used in his studies.

The article highlighted past criticisms, such as a 2012 study by David Albouy from the University of Illinois, which suggested that certain data points used in the research were proxies rather than direct figures, potentially affecting the study's conclusions.