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The Link between Democracy and Development in Africa: What does Data tell us?

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  • Kinyondo, Abel
  • Byaro, Mwoya

Abstract

This study attempts to explore whether and to what extent the quality of democracy and development are related in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using system Generalized Methods of Moments on data from 36 countries available from various international secondary data sources for the period from 2002 to 2019, this study reveals that the single best predictor of the quality of democracy in the region is represented by the quality of democracy and that political stability is instrumental in securing the quality of democracy, while unemployment erodes the quality of the democracy. Moreover, the study shows that development has a strong, positive and statistically significant impact on the quality of democracy. Findings suggest a need for securing development to ensure that the quality of democracy is not going to be compromised. Furthermore, they suggest that democratic processes and practices need to be institutionalized to make it less dependent on development.

Suggested Citation

  • Kinyondo, Abel & Byaro, Mwoya, 2024. "The Link between Democracy and Development in Africa: What does Data tell us?," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 12(1), March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afjecr:340555
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.340555
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Przeworski,Adam & Alvarez,Michael E. & Cheibub,Jose Antonio & Limongi,Fernando, 2000. "Democracy and Development," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521793797, October.
    2. Arellano, Manuel & Bover, Olympia, 1995. "Another look at the instrumental variable estimation of error-components models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 29-51, July.
    3. David Roodman, 2009. "A Note on the Theme of Too Many Instruments," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 71(1), pages 135-158, February.
    4. Blundell, Richard & Bond, Stephen, 1998. "Initial conditions and moment restrictions in dynamic panel data models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 115-143, August.
    5. Byaro, Mwoya & Mpeta, Daniel, 2021. "Secondary Education and its Effects on Child Health: Empirical Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 9(2), April.
    6. Przeworski,Adam & Alvarez,Michael E. & Cheibub,Jose Antonio & Limongi,Fernando, 2000. "Democracy and Development," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521790321, October.
    7. Mwoya Byaro, 2021. "Commentary: on the effects of health expenditure on infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from panel data analysis," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-3, December.
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