Complements or Substitutes? How Institutional Arrangements Bind Traditional Authorities and the State in Africa

How does the central state affect public goods provision by local actors? I study effect of capacity on governance in sub-Saharan Africa, which argue depends whether traditional authorities are integrated country’s constitution. use distance to administrative headquarters as a measure and estimate regression discontinuity design around boundaries. If not integrated, then compete with each other, working substitutes. That is, stronger undermines power authorities. two work complements. A increases show that these relationships crucial understanding influence economic development.