Institutions, farm/rural household behavior and gender: Evidence from Colombia and Burundi

The role of economic institutions in shaping development trajectories has been a central debate in economic thought since Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations (1776). This dissertation examines the intricate relationship between economic institutions and development, drawing upon the foundational contributions of Douglass North (1990) and subsequent scholarship, including Acemoglu and Robinson (2012). Institutions—both formal and informal—govern economic behavior, shape incentives, and influence economic outcomes and this relationship runs in both directions. While formal institutions such as laws and regulations play a crucial role, informal institutions often determine economic interactions in contexts where formal structures are weak or absent, as observed in rural areas of developing countries like Colombia and Burundi. Institutional changes, such as land formalization, can generate significant economic shifts, affecting growth, inequality, and policy effectiveness.This dissertation contributes to the ongoing debate by providing empirical, quantitative and qualitative analyses of institutional dynamics in rural Colombia and Burundi. It explores the intersections of formal and informal institutions with intrahousehold dynamics, gender disparities, financial inclusion, conflict and land rights. Through rigorous methodological approaches, this research uncovers mechanisms through which institutions shape economic behavior and outcomes and the other way around. By shedding light on these processes, the dissertation aims to inform evidence-based policy interventions that promote inclusive and sustainable development. The findings underscore the need for institutional reforms tailored to the specific socio-economic and political contexts of developing nations, offering insights that extend beyond Colombia and Burundi to broader development challenges worldwide.