Explore the impact of the Concordat of Worms on European history in this thought-provoking lecture from the Hayek Lecture Series. Challenge conventional wisdom about the Protestant Reformation's influence on northern Europe's economic success and the decline of Roman Catholicism. Delve into Professor Bruce Bueno de Mesquita's analysis of how the Concordat of Worms predictably led to Europe's secularization and the creation of sovereign states. Examine historical data, game theory, and economic factors to understand the complex interplay between political institutions, religious power, and societal change. Gain insights into the commercial revolution, the concept of papal infallibility, and the long-term consequences of medieval power struggles on modern European governance.