Institutions and economic growth: Summary and synthesis


Adam Szirmai

#2013-070

This paper provides a review and synthesis of the findings of the second phase of a research project on institutions and long-run economic performance. It discusses research findings in five areas, namely (1) the relationship between institutional characteristics and the duration of economic slumps; (2) the relative importance for growth of institutions, trade openness and geography; (3) the determinants and consequences of state capacities; (4) the interactions between institutions, foreign direct investment and domestic investment; and (5) the relative contributions of growth and inequality to poverty reduction. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research in the field of institutions and economic development.

Keywords: Institutions, Economic Growth, State Capacity, FDI, Poverty

JEL Classification: E02, O43, B52, O10

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UNU-MERIT