Institutions and economic performance
By: edited by Elhanan Helpman.
Contributors: Helpman, Elhanan.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Cambridge, Mass
Language: eng
Number of pages: 611
ISBN-13: 9780674030770
Subjects: Economic development; Regional economic disparities; Public administration; Social institutions; Political culture; Social structure
Description: "Institutions and Economic Performance explores the question of why income per capita varies so greatly across countries. Even taking into account disparities in resources, including physical and human capital, large economic discrepancies remain across countries. Why are some societies but not others able to encourage investments in places, people, and productivity?" "The answer, the book argues, lies to a large extent in institutional differences across societies. Such institutions are wide-ranging and include formal constitutional arrangements, the role of economic and political elites, informal institutions that promote investment and knowledge transfer, and others. Two core themes run through the contributors' essays. First, what constraints do institutions place on the power of the executive to prevent it from extorting the investments and effort of other people and institutions? Second, when are productive institutions self-enforcing?"--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.