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Los orígenes coloniales del desarrollo comparativo: una investigación empírica

Author

Listed:
  • Daron Acemoglu

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Simon Johnson

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • James A. Robinson

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

This article uses the different mortality rates of European colonialists to estimate the effect of institutions on economic performance. Europeans adopted very different colonization policies in different colonies. In places where mortality rates were high they did not settle, but set up extractive institutions that exist to the present day. By exploring the different mortality rates faced by soldiers, bishops and sailors in the colonies in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries, we were able to estimate the long-term effect of colonial institutions on per capita income.

Suggested Citation

  • Daron Acemoglu & Simon Johnson & James A. Robinson, 2005. "Los orígenes coloniales del desarrollo comparativo: una investigación empírica," Revista de Economía Institucional, Universidad Externado de Colombia - Facultad de Economía, vol. 7(13), pages 17-67, July-Dece.
    • Handle: RePEc:rei:ecoins:v:7:y:2005:i:13:p:17-67
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    File URL: http://www.uexternado.edu.co/facecono/ecoinstitucional/workingpapers/dacemoglu13.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bernardo Pérez Salazar, 2006. "Del “cuerpo cierto” y otras ambigüedades…," Revista de Economía Institucional, Universidad Externado de Colombia - Facultad de Economía, vol. 8(14), pages 305-310, January-J.
    2. Juan Santiago Correa R., 2006. "Historia para dummies: una mirada colonial a la historia imperial," Revista de Economía Institucional, Universidad Externado de Colombia - Facultad de Economía, vol. 8(14), pages 277-288, January-J.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European colonization; institutions; economic development; mortality rates; per capita income;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N40 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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