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Colonisation, Institutions and Development: New Evidence

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  • Jose Antonio Alonso

Abstract

This article analyses current attempts to identify the factors underlying long-term economic growth. The author criticises some of the arguments and historical evidence on which the two main explanations that dominate recent literature are based: the institutional approach and the approach focusing on the importance of geographical factors. Using an approach which is deliberately eclectic, the author considers the role of geography, international trade, human capital and institutional quality in explaining development. A new estimation is carried out through Two Stages Least Squares (TSLS) with instrumental variables. The results of the empirical model confirm the central role of institutions in long-term economic growth. However, certain geographical conditions also seem to have influenced countries' chances of progress. The human capital is a less robust factor in explaining economic growth and trade openness does not seem significant in any estimation. Nevertheless, several questions remain to be answered, suggesting that cross-country estimations need to be complemented with a deeper historical analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose Antonio Alonso, 2011. "Colonisation, Institutions and Development: New Evidence," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(7), pages 937-958.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:47:y:2011:i:7:p:937-958
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2010.527948
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Douglass C. North, 2005. "Introduction to Understanding the Process of Economic Change," Introductory Chapters, in: Understanding the Process of Economic Change, Princeton University Press.
    2. Greif,Avner, 2006. "Institutions and the Path to the Modern Economy," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521671347, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Du, Brian & Serrano, Alejandro & Vianna, Andre, 2018. "Institutional development and foreign banks in Chile," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 166-178.
    2. Mukherjee Deepraj & Dutta Nabamita, 2013. "Do Political Institutions and Culture Jointly Matter for Financial Development? A Cross-Country Panel Investigation," Global Economy Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 13(2), pages 203-232, June.
    3. William Y. N. Suzuki & Marcio P. Laurini & Luciano Nakabashi, 2022. "Spatial heterogeneities, institutions, and income: Evidence for Brazil," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 101(3), pages 537-571, June.
    4. Vianna, Andre C. & Mollick, Andre V., 2018. "Institutions: Key variable for economic development in Latin America," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 42-58.
    5. Christopher Cunningham & Sel Dibooglu, 2020. "Engines of Growth in China: The Limits of Informal Institutions," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(1), pages 252-275, January.
    6. Redmond, Trumel & Nasir, Muhammad Ali, 2020. "Role of natural resource abundance, international trade and financial development in the economic development of selected countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).

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