Guido Tabellini Awarded Honorary Doctorate by the University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow has awarded an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Letters) to Guido Tabellini, Intesa Sanpaolo Chair in Political Economics and Vice President of Bocconi University, recognizing his outstanding contributions to economics and his pioneering role in the development of political economy. The honor was conferred during the University’s Commemoration Day ceremony on 17 June 2026, held as part of the celebrations marking Glasgow’s 575th anniversary.
The recognition places Tabellini among a distinguished group of scholars and public figures who have received honorary degrees from one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
In the citation accompanying the award, the University highlighted the breadth and influence of Tabellini’s research career, which has helped shape several areas of modern economics. Particular emphasis was placed on his contribution to establishing political economy as a central field of inquiry, demonstrating how political institutions, electoral competition and governance structures influence economic outcomes, from public spending and fiscal policy to the provision of public goods.
The University also recognized Tabellini’s influential work on the relationship between culture, institutions and economic development. Through innovative empirical research, he has shown how historical differences in values, beliefs and political institutions continue to affect economic performance across regions and countries. More recently, his research has explored the deep historical roots of prosperity, including the role of culture and institutions in shaping the divergent development paths of Europe and China.
Over the course of his career, Tabellini has received numerous international distinctions. He is a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a former President of both the European Economic Association and the Econometric Society, and a recipient of the 2023 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Economics, Finance and Management, awarded jointly with Torsten Persson and Tim Besley.
The University of Glasgow also drew a connection between Tabellini’s work and the intellectual legacy of Adam Smith, whose The Wealth of Nations marks its 250th anniversary in 2026. Both scholars were recognized for their commitment to understanding economic phenomena within their broader social, political and cultural context, and for addressing the fundamental questions that shape prosperity and development.
The honorary doctorate acknowledges not only Guido Tabellini’s exceptional scholarly achievements, but also the global impact of research produced at Bocconi and its contribution to advancing knowledge about the interplay between institutions, culture, politics and economic progress.
