Scott Alexander examines a study showing that Napoleonic reforms led to better economic outcomes, challenging the idea that evolved systems are always superior to designed ones.
Longer summary
Scott Alexander discusses a 2009 paper by Daron Acemoglu et al. that challenges the idea that organically evolved systems are superior to designed ones. The study found that areas invaded by Napoleon and subjected to radical institutional reforms experienced more rapid economic growth. Scott explores the implications of this study, its potential limitations, and how it challenges common beliefs about the superiority of evolved institutions over designed ones.
Shorter summary