Values, Cultural Practices and Economic Performance: Theory and Some Evidence from Kenya

Posted: 14 Dec 2009

See all articles by Gilad D. Aharonovitz

Gilad D. Aharonovitz

Washington State University - School of Economic Sciences

Elizabeth Nyaga

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: December 2, 2009

Abstract

Policies, saving rates, human capital, etc. are possible explanations for poor economic performance, but while these factors are changeable, underdevelopment persists. Looking for an unchangeable factor, we construct a theory for the effect of cultural values, such as moral values, risk-taking, and responsibility to others, on economic performance, and demonstrate it using a model in which responsibility for parents prevents development. We construct data of economic performance and values of seven tribes in Kenya, and use it to support the model. Thus, we suggest a methodology for the quantitative analysis of the effect of values over the economy.

Keywords: Africa, Kenya, economic development, values, social norms

JEL Classification: A13, O10, O55, Z10

Suggested Citation

Aharonovitz, Gilad D. and Nyaga, Elizabeth, Values, Cultural Practices and Economic Performance: Theory and Some Evidence from Kenya (December 2, 2009). World Development, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1521168

Gilad D. Aharonovitz (Contact Author)

Washington State University - School of Economic Sciences

Pullman, WA 99164-4741
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.ses.wsu.edu/People/aharonovitz.htm

Elizabeth Nyaga

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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