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Hobbes to Rousseau: Inequality, Institutions, and Development

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Author Info
Cervellati, Matteo (Universitat Pompeu Fabra and University of Bologna)
Fortunato, Piergiuseppe (University of Bologna)
Sunde, Uwe () (IZA Bonn)

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Abstract

We analyze the endogenous evolution of economic and political institutions and the interdependencies with the process of economic development. Favorable economic institutions ensure the appropriability of rents in form of a state of law. We study the conditions under which a state of law can be implemented under oligarchy, and when democratization is necessary. Inequality in endowments and incomes prolongs the absence of good institutions and delays democratization. Conversely, institutions shape the income distribution. Simulations illustrate how inequality affects the development process and may lead to overtaking and divergence. The implications are in line with historical and empirical evidence.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in its series IZA Discussion Papers with number 1450.

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Length: 40 pages
Date of creation: Jan 2005
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Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp1450

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Related research
Keywords: inequality; democratization; institutions; state of law; long-term development;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
H10 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - General
O20 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - General
N10 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Growth and Fluctuations - - - General, International, or Comparative

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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. Clark, Gregory, 2002. "Land rental values and the agrarian economy: England and Wales, 1500 1914," European Review of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(03), pages 281-308, December. [Downloadable!]
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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. Luis Angeles, 2008. "Democratization as a cost-saving device," Working Papers 2008_31, Department of Economics, University of Glasgow. [Downloadable!]
  2. Graziella Bertocchi, 2007. "The Comparative Evolution of Bequest Taxation in Historical Perspective," Center for Economic Research (RECent) 005, University of Modena and Reggio E., Dept. of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  3. Gradstein, M., 2007. "Institutional Traps and Economic Growth," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 0769, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge. [Downloadable!]
  4. Bertocchi, Graziella, 2007. "The Vanishing Bequest Tax: The Comparative Evolution of Bequest Taxation in Historical Perspective," CEPR Discussion Papers 6115, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  5. Uwe Sunde & Matteo Cervellati & Piergiuseppe Fortunato, 2007. "Are All Democracies Equally Good? The Role of Interactions between Political Environment and Inequality for Rule of Law," IZA Discussion Papers 2984, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  6. Uwe Sunde, 2006. "Wirtschaftliche Entwicklung und Demokratie: Ist Demokratie ein Wohlstandsmotor oder ein Wohlstandsprodukt?," IZA Discussion Papers 2244, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
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