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The Economic Effects of Human Rights

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Author Info
Lorenz Blume
Stefan Voigt

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Abstract

There are three positions concerning the economic effects of human rights discussed among economists. Some economists argue that only property rights matter for economic growth and basic human rights can even make the legal system less efficient. Others argue that negative rights are generally welfare increasing while positive rights tend to reduce income and growth over time. Yet a third group of economists argues that elements of all groups of human rights are a precondition for making productive use of one's resources and are thus efficiency-enhancing. Based on a cross-country analysis, the effects of different groups of human rights on economic growth are estimated in this paper. The transmission channels through which the different rights affect growth are identified by estimating their effects on investment and overall productivity. Basic human rights have indeed a positive effect on investment, but do not seem to contribute to productivity. Social rights, in turn, are not conducive to investment in physical capital but do contribute to productivity improvements. None of the four groups of rights covered in this analysis ever has a significant negative effect on any of the economic variables included. Copyright 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd..

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File URL: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1467-6435.2007.00383.x
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Publisher Info
Article provided by Blackwell Publishing in its journal Kyklos.

Volume (Year): 60 (2007)
Issue (Month): 4 (November)
Pages: 509-538
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Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:60:y:2007:i:4:p:509-538

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
  1. Reinhold Kosfeld & Jorgen Lauridsen, 2003. "Dynamic Spatial Modelling of Regional Convergence Processes," Discussion Papers in Economics 42/03, University of Kassel, Institute of Economics. [Downloadable!]
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  2. Jochen Michaelis & Michael Pflüger, 2002. "Euroland: Besser als befürchtet, aber schlechter als erhofft?," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 71(3), pages 296-311.
  3. Feld, Lars P. & Voigt, Stefan, 2003. "Economic growth and judicial independence: cross-country evidence using a new set of indicators," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 497-527, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  4. J¸rgen Jerger & Jochen Michaelis, 2003. "Wage Hikes as Supply and Demand Shock," Metroeconomica, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 54(4), pages 434-457, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  5. Maria Daskalakis & Oliver Fromm, 2004. "Entwicklungspotentiale der Region Nordhessen. Eine empirische Bestandsaufnahme," Discussion Papers in Economics 53/04, University of Kassel, Institute of Economics.
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Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Axel Dreher & Stefan Voigt, 2008. "Does Membership in International Organizations Increase Governments’ Credibility? Testing the Effects of Delegating Powers," CESifo Working Paper Series CESifo Working Paper No. , CESifo Group Munich. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Mwangi S. Kimenyi, 2005. "Economic Rights, Human Development Effort and Institutions," Working papers 2005-40, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  3. Hans-Friedrich Eckey & Matthias Türck, 2006. "Convergence of EU-Regions. A Literature Report," Discussion Papers in Economics 80/06, University of Kassel, Institute of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  4. Katarzyna Metelska-Szaniawska, 2009. "Constitutions and economic reforms in transition: an empirical study," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-41, March. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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