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Justices of the Peace: Legal Foundations of the Industrial Revolution

Author

Listed:
  • Besley, Tim
  • Bogart, Dan
  • Chapman, Jonathan
  • Palma, Nuno

Abstract

We show that state legal capacity contributed to economic development during the Industrial Revolution. The British parliament relied on local magistrates, known as Justices of the Peace (JPs), to enforce property rights, resolve disputes, and administer public services. Areas with greater legal capacity – more JPs – in 1700 experienced greater population growth and structural change over 140 years. More legal capacity also led to more human capital, fiscal capacity, and infrastructure development. Plausibly exogenous variation in the location of JPs supports a causal interpretation of the findings. These results illustrate the importance of street-level legal institutions for economic outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Besley, Tim & Bogart, Dan & Chapman, Jonathan & Palma, Nuno, 2025. "Justices of the Peace: Legal Foundations of the Industrial Revolution," CEPR Discussion Papers 20214, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:20214
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    File URL: https://cepr.org/publications/DP20214
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H80 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - General
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General
    • N13 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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