Inequality, Democracy and the Emergence of Institutions

Mark Gradstein ()

No 4187, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This Paper considers the emergence of institutions as a political outcome, arguing that the support for protection of private property rights is stronger the higher is the economy's aggregate income and the more equal its distribution. When these conditions initially hold, the politically influential rich elite may prefer to relinquish its power through democratization in order to commit future policy-makers to the enforcement of private property rights, thus ensuring larger investment and growth. In a very unequal economy, however, this growth-enhancing democratization will not take place. These conclusions are shown to be consistent with the existing historical and cross-country evidence.

Keywords: Inequality; Democracy; Property rights (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 O11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-dev and nep-pol
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

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