Daron Acemoglu is Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In this interview he discusses with Brian Snowdon some of his recent research findings that confirm the key role played by ‘good’ and ‘bad’ institutions in determining the economic performance of countries. He shares his views on a wide range of subjects including economic history, growth theory, the role of institutions and geography in explaining growth and development, the influence of trade on growth, global inequality, and political economy perspectives on economic development.