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Economic effects of (non-)compliance with constitutions

Author

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  • Lewczuk, Anna
  • Metelska-Szaniawska, Katarzyna

Abstract

Constitutional non-compliance, understood as non-congruence between provisions written in countries’ constitutions and the behavior of their governments, has recently become the focus of economic analysis. While other studies concentrate on the reasons behind this phenomenon, we are interested in its economic effects. We argue that non-compliance with constitutions is associated with lower GDP per capita and test our hypothesis empirically for more than 150 countries in the period 1960–2019 using the new Comparative Constitutional Compliance Database and a dynamic panel strategy. Our study confirms adverse economic effects of constitutional violations and this, in particular, in the area of property rights protection and the rule of law. In addition, we indicate groups of countries, where (non-)compliance with constitutions is of particular relevance, as well as identify the mechanisms behind these effects. Our findings contribute to several strands of literature at the nexus of constitutional political economy and development economics.

Suggested Citation

  • Lewczuk, Anna & Metelska-Szaniawska, Katarzyna, 2025. "Economic effects of (non-)compliance with constitutions," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(1), pages 227-242.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:53:y:2025:i:1:p:227-242
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2024.12.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Constitutional compliance; Constitutional economics; Constitutional political economy; De jure-de facto gap; Property rights; Rule of law;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E02 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Institutions and the Macroeconomy
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • K11 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Property Law
    • K38 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Human Rights Law; Gender Law; Animal Rights Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries
    • P14 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Property Rights
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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