The Unchanging Profile of Development: A Historical Study of the Punjab 1961-2008

Abstract

In recent years, the importance of historic events in the socioeconomic development of countries has emerged as an important area of research. There is a growing interest in determining the impact of historic events and conditions such as colonial rules, institutions, and factor endowments on the economic and social circumstances of countries today. Furthermore, the levels of development in the early decades of newly independent territories can have long term effects on the progress of those regions [Nunn (2007, 2009); Olsson and Hibbs (2005); Acemoglu, Johnson, and Robinson (2001); Engerman and Sokoloff (2000); La Porta, et al. (1998)].

Human Capital Convergence: Evidence from the Punjab

“…Literacy rates and enrolment levels, along with access to basic public goods such as electricity, gas, and sanitation, are far lower in the southern and western districts than elsewhere (Cheema, Khalid, & Patnam, 2008;Khan, 2009). Afzal (2010) shows that patterns of human welfare across Punjab have persisted over the last five decades, and concludes that less developed districts have been unable to break out of their lagging status. Whether these gaps among Punjab's districts have increased or decreased, however, remains unexplored.…”