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Endogenous Constitutional Democracy Capital and Economic Development

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Liang

    (China Economics and Management Academy, Central University of Finance and Economics)

  • Heng-fu Zou

    (The World Bank)

Abstract

This paper develops a dynamic representative-citizens model that endogenizes the accumulation of both constitutional democracy capital and physical capital. Drawing from Douglass North's seminal works, our model integrates interactions between institutional capital and economic performance, focusing on how changes in institutional frameworks impact economic dynamics. By exploring the reciprocal relationships between democratic institutions and economic variables over time, the model elucidates how democratic structures facilitate economic growth and how economic conditions affect the vitality of democratic governance. It demonstrates that exogenous economic variables significantly influence both democracy and physical capital, while political institutional factors critically shape economic outcomes. This approach highlights the importance of a supportive democratic environment in enhancing capital accumulation and shows how threats to democracy can hinder both democratic integrity and economic development, providing a comprehensive framework to understand the interplay between political systems and economic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Liang & Heng-fu Zou, 2024. "Endogenous Constitutional Democracy Capital and Economic Development," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 25(2), pages 501-549, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:cuf:journl:y:2024:v:25:i:2:liangzou
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Torsten Persson & Guido Tabellini, 2006. "Democracy and Development: The Devil in the Details," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(2), pages 319-324, May.
    2. Torsten Persson & Guido Tabellini, 2009. "Democratic Capital: The Nexus of Political and Economic Change," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 1(2), pages 88-126, July.
    3. Daron Acemoglu & Suresh Naidu & Pascual Restrepo & James A. Robinson, 2019. "Democracy Does Cause Growth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 127(1), pages 47-100.
    4. Dani Rodrik & Romain Wacziarg, 2005. "Do Democratic Transitions Produce Bad Economic Outcomes?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(2), pages 50-55, May.
    5. Acemoglu,Daron & Robinson,James A., 2009. "Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521671422, October.
    6. Douglass C. North, 2005. "Introduction to Understanding the Process of Economic Change," Introductory Chapters, in: Understanding the Process of Economic Change, Princeton University Press.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Democracy Capital; Constitutional Democracy; Liberty; Rule of Law; Property Rights; Institutions; Economic Growth; Development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E20 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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