Democracy and Development

Abstract

Is economic development conducive to political democracy? Does democracy foster or hinder material welfare? These two questions are examined by looking at the experience of 135 countries between 1950 and 1990. Descriptive information, statistical analyses, and historical narratives are interwoven to gain an understanding of the dynamic of political regimes and their impact on economic development and other aspects of material welfare. The findings, several most surprising, dispel any notion of a trade-off between democracy and development. Economic development does not generate democracies but democracies are much more likely to survive in wealthy societies. Political regimes have no impact on the growth of total national incomes, while political instability affects growth only in dictatorships. Per capita incomes grow faster in democracies since population increases faster under dictatorships. In general, political regimes have more of an effect on demography than on economics.

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“…The definition of democracy that emphasises alternation in power has prompted Przeworski et al (2002) to disqualify Botswana as a democracy because there has been no alternation of power. Equally, using Huntington's definition of the second election turnover test, Bratton (1998) remarks that in countries where the incumbent party retains power it is hard to judge the extent to which elections contribute to consolidation of democracy, and whether a smooth transfer of power would take place if the opposition were to win an election.…”

Análisis de datos de panel en ciencia política: ventajas y aplicaciones en estudios electorales

“…Este fenómeno, común en política comparada (Franzese, 2007), se ejemplifica con el caso del desarrollo y la democracia: mientras algunos argumentan que el mayor desarrollo económico privilegia la democratización (Lipset, 1959), otros sostienen que la democracia facilita el crecimiento económico (Przeworski et al, 2000). En la investigación micro, por su parte, se sospecha de causalidad inversa al analizar percepción de candidatos y simpatía partidaria (Garzia, 2013), percepciones económicas e intención de voto (Lewis- Beck et al, 2008) y partidismo y preferencias electorales (Lupu, 2015), entre otras posible relaciones endógenas.…”

“…Por ejemplo, en el estudio de la relación entre instituciones políticas y desempeño económico (Przeworski et al, 2000) es difícil -si no imposible-obtener indicadores sobre variables culturales e históricas que se supone podrían incidir en la variable dependiente, desempeño econó-mico. Con datos transversales no resulta sencillo incluir estos efectos inobservados.…”

An Appalling Scenario Growing Corruption and Its Obnoxious Impacts on Public Lives -With Special Reference of South-Asian Stigma

“…Myint (2000) notes the very nature and writes, "corruption is closely associated with an unequal income distribution and concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, there emerges a distorted consumption pattern aimed at meeting the lifestyle of the new and extremely rich urban elite" (page; 47). Przeworski et al (2000) argue that corruption has vastly undermined the security of property right of public.…”