Since 2014
The Role of Institutions in Growth and Development
Review of Economics and Institutions
View Archive Info| Field | Value | |
| Title |
The Role of Institutions in Growth and Development
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| Creator |
Acemoglu, Daron; Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Robinson, James; Harvard University and Weatherhead Center for International Affairs |
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| Subject |
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economic growth, development, institutions and political economy O10, P10, P17 |
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| Description |
In this paper we argue that the main determinant of differences in prosperity across countries are differences in economic institutions. To solve the problem of development will entail reforming these institutions. Unfortunately, this is difficult because economic institutions are collective choices that are the outcome of a political process. The economic institutions of a society depend on the nature of political institutions and the distribution of political power in society. As yet, we only have a highly preliminary understanding of the factors that lead a society into a political equilibrium which supports good economic institutions. However, it is clear that it is the political nature of an institutional equilibrium that makes it very difficult to reform economic institutions. We illustrate this with a series of pitfalls of institutional reforms. Our analysis reveals challenges for those who would wish to solve the problem of development and poverty. That such challenges exist is hardly surprising and we believe that the main reason for such challenges is the forces we have outlined in this paper. Better development policy will only come when we recognize this and understand these forces better. Nevertheless, some countries do undergo political transitions, reform their institutions, and move onto more successful paths of economic development. We also can learn a lot from these success stories.
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| Publisher |
University of Perugia
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| Contributor |
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| Date |
2010-09-29
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| Type |
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Peer-reviewed Article |
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| Format |
application/pdf
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| Identifier |
http://www.rei.unipg.it/rei/article/view/14
10.5202/rei.v1i2.14 |
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| Source |
Review of Economics and Institutions; Vol 1, No 2 (2010)
2038-1379 2038-1344 |
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| Language |
eng
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| Relation |
http://www.rei.unipg.it/rei/article/view/14/22
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| Rights |
As further described in our submission agreement, in consideration for publication of the article, the authors assign to the University of Perugia all copyright in the article, subject to the expansive personal-use exceptions described below. Attribution and Usage Policies Reproduction, posting, transmission or other distribution or use of the article or any material therein, in any medium as permitted by a personal-use exemption or by written agreement of the University of Perugia, requires credit to University of Perugia as copyright holder (e.g., University of Perugia © 20011). Personal-use ExceptionsThe following uses are always permitted to the author(s) and do not require further permission from University of Perugia provided the author does not alter the format or content of the articles, including the copyright notification:Posting of the article on the author(s) personal website, provided that the website is non-commercial;Posting of the article on the internet as part of a non-commercial open access institutional repository or other non-commercial open access publication site affiliated with the author(s)'s place of employment;Posting of the article on a non-commercial course website for a course being taught by the author at the university employing the author; andStorage and back-up of the article on the author's computer(s) and digital media (e.g., diskettes, back-up servers, Zip disks, etc.), provided that the article stored on these computers and media is not readily accessible by persons other than the author(s).People seeking an exception, or who have questions about use, should contact The Editor at editor.rei.journal@gmail.com
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