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Does rapid economic growth enhance democratization? Time-series evidence from high performing Asian economies

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  • Tang, Sam Hak Kan
  • Yung, Linda Chor Wing

Abstract

We examine the long-run relationship between economic growth and democratization for the high performing Asian economies using a time-series technique called the autoregressive distributive lag bounds test. For all eight of such economies, we do not find a statistically significant long-run relationship running from growth to democratization. Instead, we find a statistically significant long-run relationship running from democratization to growth, which can be either positive or negative. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, our results suggest that rapid economic growth in the high performing Asian economies appears to have little effect on democratization in the long run.

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  • Tang, Sam Hak Kan & Yung, Linda Chor Wing, 2008. "Does rapid economic growth enhance democratization? Time-series evidence from high performing Asian economies," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 244-253, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:asieco:v:19:y:2008:i:3:p:244-253
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    2. Amaia Altuzarra & Catalina Gálvez-Gálvez & Ana González-Flores, 2021. "Is Gender Inequality a Barrier to Economic Growth? A Panel Data Analysis of Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Hisamoglu, Ebru, 2014. "EU membership, institutions and growth: The case of Turkey," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 211-219.
    4. Sara Corujo & Marta Simões, 2012. "Democracy and Growth: Evidence for Portugal (1960–2001)," Transition Studies Review, Springer;Central Eastern European University Network (CEEUN), vol. 18(3), pages 512-528, March.
    5. Myeong Hwan Kim & Yongseung Han, 2015. "Investigating the Empirical Relationship between Polity and Economic Growth," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 341-368, July.
    6. Shahriar, Saleh & Qian, Lu & Kea, Sokvibol, 2018. "China's economic integration with the Greater Mekong Sub-region: An empirical analysis by a panel dynamic gravity model," Economics Discussion Papers 2018-44, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).

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