On the determinants of democracy in the Arab World

Nouha Bougharriou, Walid Benayed and Foued Badr Gabsi

Romanian Economic Journal, 2016, vol. 18, issue 59, 25-42

Abstract: In this paper, we re-examine the "modernization theory" according to which economic development promotes democracy. Results for a panel of 17 Arab countries over the period 1990-2013, reveal that income per capita has a positive and statically significant effect on democracy. Our findings remain robust even after the inclusion of other potential determinants of democracy. Interestingly, we show that education, corruption and trade openness foster the emergence of democracy. However, it seems that urbanization, resource rents and the rise of democracy in neighboring countries impede democratic changes in the region.

Keywords: democracy, income per capita, dynamic panel, democracy; income per capita; dynamic panel; Arab World (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 D73 E02 P16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:rej:journl:v:18:y:2016:i:59:p:25-42

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