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Colonialism, Elite Formation and Corruption

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  • Luis Angeles
  • Kyriakos C. Neanidis

Abstract

This paper argues that corruption in developing countries has deep historical roots; going all the way back to the characteristics of their colonial experience. The degree of European settlement during colonial times is used to di¤erentiate between types of colonial experience, and is found to be a powerful explanatory factor of present-day corruption levels. The relationship is non-linear, as higher levels of European settlement resulted in more powerful elites (and more corruption) only as long as Europeans remained a minority group in the total population.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis Angeles & Kyriakos C. Neanidis, 2010. "Colonialism, Elite Formation and Corruption," Centre for Growth and Business Cycle Research Discussion Paper Series 144, Economics, The University of Manchester.
    • Handle: RePEc:man:cgbcrp:144
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    Cited by:

    1. Angeles, Luis, 2012. "Is there a role for genetics in economic development?," SIRE Discussion Papers 2012-08, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    2. Luis Angeles, 2011. "Institutions, Property Rights, and Economic Development in Historical Perspective," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(2), pages 157-177, May.

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