Geography, Transparency and Institutions
CEPR Discussion Paper No. 9625, September 2013
66 Pages Posted: 12 Oct 2013
There are 2 versions of this paper
Geography, Transparency and Institutions
Geography, Transparency and Institutions
Date Written: September 1, 2013
Abstract
We propose a theory by which geographic variations in the transparency of the production process explain cross-regional differences in the scale of the state, in its hierarchical structure, and in property rights over land. The key linkage between geography and these institutions, we posit, is via the effect of transparency on the state's extractive capacity. We apply our theory to explain institutional differences between ancient Egypt and ancient Upper and Lower Mesopotamia. We also discuss the relevance of our theory to analyses of the deep rooted factors affecting economic development and the growth of taxation in the modern age.
Keywords: geography, institutions, land tenure, state capacity, state concentration and transparency
JEL Classification: D02, D82, H10, O43
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation