Institutions, Property Rights, and Economic Development in Historical Perspective

Institutions, and more speci cally private property rights, have come to be seen as a major determinant of long-run economic development. We evaluate the case for property rights as an explanatory factor of the Industrial Revolution and derive some lessons for the analysis of developing countries today. We pay particular attention to the role of property rights in the accumulation of physical capital and the production of new ideas. The evidence that we review from the economic history literature does not support the institutional thesis.

Is there a role for genetics in economic development?

Spolaore and Wacziarg (2009) have presented evidence supporting a role of genetic distance to the United States as a barrier to economic development. We extend their empirical work by controlling for the share of Europeans and European descendants in the population. We fi nd that the role of genetic distance disappears and o¤er two alternative interpretations of the patterns in the data.

Human Capital in Economic Development: From Labour Productivity to Macroeconomic Impact

Micro-econometric evidence reveals high private returns to education, most prominently in low-income countries. However, it is disputed to what extent this translates into a macro-economic impact. This paper projects the increase in human capital from higher education in Malawi and uses a dynamic applied general equilibrium model to estimate the resulting macroeconomics impact. This is contingent upon endogenous adjustments, in particular how labour productivity affects competitiveness and if this in turn stimulates exports. Choice among commonly applied labour market assumptions and trade elasticities results in widely different outcomes. Appraisal of such policies should consider not only the impact on human capital stocks, but also adjustments outside the labour market.

Iowa Department of Economic Development, Agency Performance Plan

Annual Report, Agency Performance Plan

International Update, Iowa Department of Economic Development, March/April, 2003

Department Report for Economic Development

Report of Recommendations to the Iowa Department of Economic Development, June 30, 2002

State Agency Audit Report

Report on Special Investigation of the Parkersburg Economic Development Corporation in Parkersburg Iowa, May 1, 1999 - October 16, 2003

City Audit Report

Report of Recommendations to the Iowa Department of Economic Development, June 30, 2003

State Agency Audit Report

Report of Recommendations to the Iowa Department of Economic Development, June 30, 2004

State Audit Reports

Tools & Trends from the Iowa Department of Economic Development, September 2005

Community Development News

Iowa Department of Economic Development Performance Report, FY 2004

Agency Performance Report

Report on Special Investigation of the Cedar County Economic Development Commission, For the Period December 1, 2000 through July 31, 2005

Other Audit Reports - Special Investigation

Report of Recommendation to the Iowa Department of Economic Development, June 30, 2005

State Audit Reports

Iowa Department of Economic Development, Agency Performance Plan, 2007

Annual Report, Agency Performance Plan

Audit report on the Iowa Department of Economic Development for the year ended June 30, 2006

Audit report on the Iowa Department of Economic Development for the year ended June 30, 2006