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Did colonisation matter for comparative economic complexity?

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  • Keneck-Massil, Joseph
  • Nvuh-Njoya, Youssouf

Abstract

This paper assesses the effect of colonisation on the contemporary economic complexity of ex-settlements countries. Using cross-country OLS regression and General-to-specific modelling we find that settler mortality impact the capability set of former colonies today. This result is robust when we use alternative measure and controlled by historical, economic, socio-cultural and institutional variables.

Suggested Citation

  • Keneck-Massil, Joseph & Nvuh-Njoya, Youssouf, 2021. "Did colonisation matter for comparative economic complexity?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:203:y:2021:i:c:s0165176521001282
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2021.109851
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    Cited by:

    1. Avom, Désiré & Keneck-Massil, Joseph & Njangang, Henri & Nvuh-Njoya, Youssouf, 2022. "Why are some resource-rich countries more sophisticated than others? The role of the regime type and political ideology," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Mbassi, Christophe Martial & Messono, Omang Ombolo, 2023. "Historical technology and current economic development: Reassessing the nature of the relationship," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    3. Henri Njangang & Youssouf Nvuh-Njoya, 2023. "Unravelling the link between democracy and economic complexity: fresh evidence from the Varieties of Democracy data," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 1-32, March.
    4. Brice Kamguia & Sosson Tadadjeu & Clovis Miamo & Henri Njangang, 2022. "Does foreign aid impede economic complexity in developing countries?," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 169, pages 71-88.
    5. Valentine Soumtang Bime & Dieudonné Mignamissi & Agathe Cassandra Koumis Ngagni, 2024. "Does financial openness matter for economic transformation in sub-Saharan Africa?," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 1-49, April.
    6. Asngar, Thierry Mamadou & Nkoa, Bruno Emmanuel Ongo & Zambo, Charles Christian Atangana, 2022. "Does colonisation explain the low level of growth in African financial markets?," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 46(3).
    7. María Guadalupe Montiel-Hernández & Carla Carolina Pérez-Hernández & Blanca Cecilia Salazar-Hernández, 2024. "The Intrinsic Links of Economic Complexity with Sustainability Dimensions: A Systematic Review and Agenda for Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-26, January.
    8. Fahim Al Marhubi, 2021. "Economic Complexity and Inflation: An Empirical Analysis," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 49(3), pages 259-271, September.
    9. Honoré Tekam Oumbé & Ronald Djeunankan & Alain Mekia Ndzana, 2023. "Does information and communication technologies affect economic complexity?," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(4), pages 1-25, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Capabilities; Economic complexity index; Colonial history; Ex-settlements countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • P51 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - Comparative Analysis of Economic Systems
    • N10 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - General, International, or Comparative

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