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Democracy and Economic Development: a Fuzzy Classification Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Margarida Oliveira Brochado

    (Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto)

  • Francisco Vitorino Martins

    (Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to (1) analyse whether countries differ on political indicators (democracy, rule of law, government effectiveness and corruption) and (2) study whether countries with different political profiles are associated with different levels of economic, human development and gender-related development indicators. Using a fuzzy classification approach (fuzzy k-means algorithm), we propose a typology of 124 countries based on 10 political variables. Six segments are identified; these political groups implicate the access to different levels of economic and human development. In this study evidence of a positive but not perfect relationship between democracy and economic and human development is observed, thus presenting new insights for the understanding of the heterogeneity of behaviors relatively to political indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Margarida Oliveira Brochado & Francisco Vitorino Martins, 2005. "Democracy and Economic Development: a Fuzzy Classification Approach," FEP Working Papers 180, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    • Handle: RePEc:por:fepwps:180
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Neubauer, Deane E., 1967. "Some Conditions of Democracy," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 61(4), pages 1002-1009, December.
    2. Jian-Guang Shen, 2002. "Democracy and growth: An alternative empirical approach," Development and Comp Systems 0212002, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Robert J. Barro, 1991. "Economic Growth in a Cross Section of Countries," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 106(2), pages 407-443.
    4. Todd Landman, 1999. "Economic Development and Democracy: the View from Latin America," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 47(4), pages 607-626, September.
    5. Lipset, Seymour Martin, 1959. "Some Social Requisites of Democracy: Economic Development and Political Legitimacy1," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 53(1), pages 69-105, March.
    6. Burkhart, Ross E. & Lewis-Beck, Michael S., 1994. "Comparative Democracy: The Economic Development Thesis," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 88(4), pages 903-910, December.
    7. Barro, Robert J, 1996. "Democracy and Growth," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 1-27, March.
    8. Tavares, Jose & Wacziarg, Romain, 2001. "How democracy affects growth," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(8), pages 1341-1378, August.
    9. repec:zbw:bofitp:2002_013 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Perotti, Roberto, 1996. "Growth, Income Distribution, and Democracy: What the Data Say," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 149-187, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Democracy; Economic Development; Fuzzy k-means;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries

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