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Does political accountability matter for infrastructure regulation? The case of telecommunications

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  • Recuero Virto, Laura
  • Gasmi, Farid
  • Noumba Um, Paul

Abstract

This paper discusses the link between political accountability, regarded as an important aspect of institutional design, and infrastructure regulation that has been emphasized in the recent literature on the role of institutions in economic development. We report on the findings and lessons drawn from an analysis of telecommunications data covering the period 1985-1999 on two sets of countries; one composed of 29 developing countries and another of 23 developed countries. The main point highlighted by the analysis is that infrastructure regulation in a given country cannot be independent of the institutional environment, in particular, the degree of political accountability that supports the country’s institutions. The argument is demonstrated by means of an econometric estimation of dynamic panel data models that shows evidence of a significant effect of pro- political accountability factors on regulatory performance as reflected in measures of sector output and efficiency. Expectedly enough, this effect is found to be more pronounced in the developing countries data set. A key policy implication of this result is that efforts to enhance institutional quality and support politically accountable systems in developing countries should yield large benefits for infrastructure regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Recuero Virto, Laura & Gasmi, Farid & Noumba Um, Paul, 2010. "Does political accountability matter for infrastructure regulation? The case of telecommunications," MPRA Paper 28496, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2010.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:28496
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Moshi, Goodiel Charles & Mwakatumbula, Hilda Jacob, 2017. "Effects of political stability and sector regulations on investments in African mobile markets," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(7), pages 651-661.
    2. Moshi, Goodiel & Mitomo, Hitoshi, 2014. "Political stability, regulation and investment in the African mobile markets," 25th European Regional ITS Conference, Brussels 2014 101430, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Infrastructure regulation; regulatory performance; political accountability.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L97 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Utilities: General

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