The Value of Democracy: Evidence from Road Building in Kenya

Robin Burgess, Remi Jedwab, Edward Miguel, Ameet Morjaria and Gerard Padró i Miquel

No 19398, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Ethnic favoritism is seen as antithetical to development. This paper provides credible quantification of the extent of ethnic favoritism using data on road building in Kenyan districts across the 1963-2011 period. Guided by a model it then examines whether the transition in and out of democracy under the same president constrains or exacerbates ethnic favoritism. Across the 1963 to 2011 period, we find strong evidence of ethnic favoritism: districts that share the ethnicity of the president receive twice as much expenditure on roads and have four times the length of paved roads built. This favoritism disappears during periods of democracy.

JEL-codes: H41 H54 O18 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013-09
Note: DEV POL
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

Published as Robin Burgess & Remi Jedwab & Edward Miguel & Ameet Morjaria & Gerard Padró i Miquel, 2015. "The Value of Democracy: Evidence from Road Building in Kenya," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(6), pages 1817-51, June.

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Value of Democracy: Evidence from Road Building in Kenya (2015)
Working Paper: The Value of Democracy: Evidence from Road Building in Kenya (2015)
Working Paper: The value of democracy: evidence from road building in Kenya (2015)
Working Paper: The Value of Democracy: Evidence from Road Building in Kenya (2013)
Working Paper: The Value of Democracy: Evidence from Road Building in Kenya (2013)
Working Paper: The Value of Democracy: Evidence from Road Building in Kenya (2013)
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