The World's Newest Country: South Sudan

     On July 9, 2011, after 50 years plagued by civil war and the loss of millions of lives, South Sudan achieved independence from their northern counterparts. As the newest nation in the world, South Sudan has been faced with many problems, a major one being the creation of a centralized government. As Acemoglu and Robinson discuss, a centralized government that people can rely on is crucial to economic growth.

     There have long been tensions between the various tribes in South Sudan and currently the country's two biggest tribes, the Dinka and the Nuer, dominate the government. This greatly contributes to a lack of trust on the part of the smaller, unrepresented tribes in the central government. This weakness in South Sudan's institutions, may stifle economic growth for the new country. However, if South Sudan can work to strengthen their institutions and allow for a more pluralistic government in which all citizens are represented, there is hope that the new nation can one day flourish.