Discussion paper

DP8486 Growth, Colonization, and Institutional Development: In and Out of Africa

This essay investigates the determinants of the growth performance of Africa. I start by illustrating a broader research agenda which accounts not only for basic economic and demographic factors, but also for the role of history and institutional development. After reporting results from standard growth regressions, I analyze the role of Africa?s peculiar history, which has been marked by its colonization experience. Next I discuss the potential growth impact of state fragility, a concept which reflects multiple facets of the dysfunctions that plague the continent. The last topic I address is the influence, in and out of Africa, of the slave trades. The essay ends with critical conclusions and suggestions for further research.

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Citation

Bertocchi, G (2011), ‘DP8486 Growth, Colonization, and Institutional Development: In and Out of Africa‘, CEPR Discussion Paper No. 8486. CEPR Press, Paris & London. https://cepr.org/publications/dp8486