Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Brown, Matthew Eldyn
URN	etd-06162010-094759
Title	Determinants of Economic Institutions
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Economics, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Bruce L Benson Committee Co-Chair James D Gwartney Committee Co-Chair R Mark Isaac Committee Member Randall G Holcombe Committee Member Douglas Stevens University Representative
Keywords	Economic Institutions Geography Economic Freedom Development Economic Growth
Date of Defense	2010-05-20
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract This dissertation explores the factors that determine the variation in institutional quality among nations. Previously, a growing body of literature has demonstrated the importance of economic institutions in determining prosperity, but significantly less work has been dedicated to understanding how those institutions are determined. A brief review of the literature on economic performance and institutions is provided as is a discussion of the various datasets used to measure institutional quality. Twenty-four case studies are presented of countries that have experienced significant changes in their economic institutions since 1980 with common experiences and themes developed that may account for changes in institutional quality. Empirical analysis demonstrates that geographic factors, particularly the ease of exit from a country, play a significant role in determining institutional quality. Openness to international trade is also shown to be a significant factor. Political factors and fractionalization are less important when these other characteristics are taken into account.
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