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Growth, Colonization, and Institutional Development: In and Out of Africa

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  • Bertocchi, Graziella

    (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia)

Abstract

This essay investigates the determinants of the growth performance of Africa. I start by illustrating a broader research agenda which accounts not only for basic economic and demographic factors, but also for the role of history and institutional development. After reporting results from standard growth regressions, I analyze the role of Africa’s peculiar history, which has been marked by its colonization experience. Next I discuss the potential growth impact of state fragility, a concept which reflects multiple facets of the dysfunctions that plague the continent. The last topic I address is the influence, in and out of Africa, of the slave trades. The essay ends with critical conclusions and suggestions for further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Bertocchi, Graziella, 2011. "Growth, Colonization, and Institutional Development: In and Out of Africa," IZA Discussion Papers 5856, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5856
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    Cited by:

    1. Graziella Bertocchi, 2016. "The legacies of slavery in and out of Africa," IZA Journal of Migration and Development, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 5(1), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Emanuele Ciani & Marcello Morciano, 2011. "Estimation and Simulation of Earnings in IT-SILC," Department of Economics 0660, University of Modena and Reggio E., Faculty of Economics "Marco Biagi".
    3. Graziella Bertocchi, 2016. "The Legacies of Slavery in and out of Africa," Department of Economics 0096, University of Modena and Reggio E., Faculty of Economics "Marco Biagi".
    4. Oleksandra Stoykova, 2021. "The Role of Ex-Colonizer’s Effect in Long-Run Economic Growth," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 274-293.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    state fragility; institutions; colonization; history; Africa; growth; slavery;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • N17 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Africa; Oceania
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government

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