This is a series of country studies by leading economists. It helps to shed light on some of the most important growth puzzles of our time. What emerges is a deeper understanding of the centrality of institutions. Economies that have performed well over the long term owe their success not to geography or trade, but to institutions that have generated market-oriented incentives, protected property rights, and enabled stability. However, these narratives warn against a cookie-cutter approach to institution building.