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Historical legacy and institutions across countries

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Author Info
Kevin Sylwester (Southern Illinois University)
Abstract

Several recent theories postulate why some countries were able to devise institutions conducive to long-run economic growth whereas others were not. Most of these consider various historical factors or geographic characteristics as important predeterminants. But which of these theories comes closest to the truth? This paper simultaneously considers several competing theories and empirically examines which ones provide the strongest explanations for contemporary institutions. I find that settler mortality rates are strongly associated with contemporary institutions even when controlling for other important historical factors, including ones from theories that do not emphasize geographic characteristics. However, Englebert’s concept of state legitimacy does best at explaining institutional outcomes within sub-Saharan Africa.

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File URL: http://www4.cema.edu.ar/pjae/m/169sylwester200811
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Publisher Info
Article provided by Universidad del CEMA in its journal Journal of Applied Economics.

Volume (Year): XI (2008)
Issue (Month): (November)
Pages: 373-398
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Handle: RePEc:cem:jaecon:v:11:y:2008:n:2:p:373-398

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Related research
Keywords: institutions; colonial legacy;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
O11 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
O17 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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This page was last updated on 2009-11-2.

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