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MENTAL MODEL · M0669

Rodrik's Trilemma

Rodrik's Trilemma
BusinessHigh supportPolitical Economy
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Proposed by Dani Rodrik. A country cannot simultaneously achieve all three of the following: hyper-globalization, national sovereignty, and democratic politics. At most, it can choose two. For example, if you want globalization and sovereignty, you must sacrifice democracy (putting on the 'golden straitjacket').

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Understanding international affairs. It provides a macro framework to help us analyze the deep logic behind phenomena such as Brexit and trade wars: these are trade-offs made because the tensions among the three corners cannot be reconciled.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Democracy, national sovereignty, and deep global economic integration cannot be achieved simultaneously; only two can be chosen.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_trinityZH · Explicit
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