Political centralization in pre-colonial Africa
نویسندگان
چکیده
Osafo-Kwaako, Philip, and Robinson, James A.—Political centralization in pre-colonial Africa In this paper we investigate the empirical correlates of political centralization using data from the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample. We specifically investigate the explanatory power of the standard models of Eurasian state formation which emphasize the importance of high population density, inter-state warfare and trade as factors leading to political centralization. We find that while in the whole world sample these factors are indeed positively correlated with political centralization, this is not so in the African sub-sample. Indeed, none of the variables are statistically related to political centralization. We also provide evidence that political centralization, where it took place, was indeed associated with better public goods and development outcomes. We conclude that the evidence is quite consistent with the intellectual tradition initiated in social anthropology by EvansPritchard and Fortes in the 1940s which denied the utility of Eurasian models in explaining patterns of political centralization in Africa. Journal of Comparative Economics 41 (1) (2013) 6–21. Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, 79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States; Harvard University, Department of Government, IQSS, 1737 Cambridge Street N309, Cambridge, MA 01238, United States. 2013 Association for Comparative Economic Studies Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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We would like to thank the Editor and two anonymous referees for their insightful comments. Stelios Michalopoulos has no relevant financial interests or funding for this project. Elias Papaioannou also has no relevant financial interests or funding for this project. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Re...
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