Economic starting point in African countries unequal
It is well known that Africa is the poorest region in the world in terms of income levels per head of the population and also, on average, the slowest growing continent of the world. However, these averages hide an enormous within-Africa diversity both in economic performance and in economic fundamentals.
The thesis focuses on this diversity as the author analyses institutional and economic developments for Sub-Sahara Africa from a historical perspective. She tries to asses the impact of initial conditions on development paths in later times. The results of this thesis emphasise the importance of pre-colonial and colonial history in explaining long-run economic and institutional development in Africa. In those pre-colonial societies where both state and community structures were well developed, stronger democratic- and judiciary systems developed in later times, compared to societies who lacked these pre-colonial structures. Furthermore, societies in which indigenous slavery was prevalent, perform worse both in terms of institutional development as in terms of economic development. Concerning the colonial period, it turned out colonial education positively influences both educational and income developments in African countries since independence. Finally, a colonial tie between countries still positively affects investment patterns between these countries.
Last modified: | 31 January 2018 11.54 a.m. |
More news
-
17 July 2024
Veni-grants for ten researchers
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded a Veni grant of up to €320,000 each to ten researchers of the University of Groningen and the UMCG. The Veni grants are designed for outstanding researchers who have recently gained a PhD.
-
08 July 2024
New collaboration between UGBS and Faculty of Spatial Sciences: education for professionals
Bringing together knowledge and experience will provide new educational opportunities for professionals working in a variety of organisations.
-
02 July 2024
Vocation or necessary evil?
It is important to know how employees perceive their jobs, as Milena Nikolova discovered. The Professor of Economics of Wellbeing distinguishes three different types of work motivations.