The poverty effect of democratization

In this paper we examine the interrelatedness between regime types of democracy and non-democracy poverty reduction. The liberal international order democratic principles have been challenged by populace’s general discontent in recent years, while reduction is a central goal global development agenda as embodied Sustainable Development Goals. Democracies could promote encouraging redistribution, lifting barriers for poor people, or giving better access to institutions society. might hinder if they are captured elites become dysfunctional general. Our data cover around 140 countries period from 1980–2018. We use mix methods address endogeneity concerns. dynamic panel estimates that control past influences poverty, GDP inequality find no significant impact democratization – measured mainly electoral on rates. more flexible causal treatment effects reduces rates about 11–14% first five years after 95% significance level 20% 10–14 90% level. Although mixed results, still confident political matter greatly, societies off when systems inclusive. fact our results do not clear support suggest without further aspects considering does clear-cut effect poverty.