RITAM POSLA Darko Tipurić

Guest Darko TipurićHosted by Lidija KiseljakMay 3, 2026

Darko Tipurić

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

When Darko Tipurić took the helm of the Croatian Society of Economists, he made a clear statement: new leadership means new changes. His mission isn't just to revive a storied institution, but to transform it into a vibrant, year-round platform for critical debate, free from political influence. This conversation explores how that shift can drive real economic reform, from overhauling corporate governance in state-owned enterprises to integrating artificial intelligence into education and business. Tipurić, a professor at the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, argues that true institutional legitimacy comes not from alignment, but from a clear refusal to be co-opted. He champions a model where diverse, even conflicting, economic perspectives are openly debated, pushing past traditional consensus to reveal the true fault lines of an issue. Readers will walk away considering how to challenge established institutions and push for practical, evidence-based change.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Darko Tipurić, as a politically independent figure who has never belonged to any party, set the tone for the Croatian Society of Economists by declaring it would not be a 'transmitter of anyone else's ideas' or 'in the service of any government.' True institutional credibility, he argues, comes not from alignment, but from a clear refusal to be co-opted. An independent stance is a strategic choice for long-term influence.

Instead of traditional lectures, Tipurić's revitalized economists' gathering will feature 'clashes of views' on topics like sustainability, with speakers presenting 'different perspectives on the same thing.' Productive debate isn't about finding consensus; it's about staging genuine intellectual conflict. When you arrange for competent voices to articulate opposing views, you move beyond polite discussion to reveal the true fault lines of an issue.

Successful state-owned companies in Sweden, Norway, and Austria prove that 'the problem is not ownership, but management.' The critical factor for public enterprise success is a robust framework of corporate governance, including transparent ownership policies, independent oversight, and clear key performance indicators (KPIs), not whether the entity is private or public.

Upcoming legislation in Croatia, influenced by OECD frameworks, will mandate that independent supervisory board members in state-owned companies can no longer be political appointees. When internal reform stalls, an outside standard can be the only lever for breaking old habits. External frameworks often force necessary structural changes that local political systems have resisted.

Tipurić allows his students to use 'all artificial intelligence tools' in exams and coursework, despite colleagues' skepticism. Rather than banning new technologies, the role of educators and leaders is to integrate them, treating AI as a tool that, when used properly, enhances learning and work. The goal is to teach effective utilization, not avoidance.

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