Cited by 1,869Economic Growth and ProductivityPolitical Conflict and GovernanceCulture, Economy, and Development Studies

Where did all the growth go? external shocks, social conflict, and growth collapses

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Rodrik, Dani·1999·Journal of Economic Growth

Abstract

This article argues that domestic social conflicts are a key to understanding why growth rates lack persistence and why so many countries have experienced a growth collapse since the mid-1970s. It emphasizes, in particular, the manner in which social conflicts interact with external shock on the one hand, and the domestic institutions of conflict-management on the other. Econometric evidence provides support for this hypothesis. Countries that experienced the sharpest drops in growth after 1975 were those with divided societies (as measured by indicators of inequality, ethnic fragmentation, and the like) and with weak institutions of conflict management (proxied by indicators of the quality of governmental institutions, rule of law, democratic rights, and social safety nets).

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Crossref · 10.1023/a:1009863208706

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Authors
Rodrik, D.
Affiliations
National Bureau of Economic Research (US)
Corresponding author
Rodrik, Dani
Venue
Journal of Economic Growth
Published
1999-12
Volume
4
Issue
4
Pages
385-412
ISSN
  • 1381-4338 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-7020
OpenAlex
W1519324514
Cited by
1,869
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 39 · 2025: 82 · 2024: 77 · 2023: 75 · 2022: 57 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 79 · 2019: 53 · 2018: 62 · 2017: 55 · 2016: 83 · 2015: 63 · 2014: 83 · 2013: 81 · 2012: 86
FWCI
91.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Economic Growth (publishedVersion)
  • National Bureau of Economic Research (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • OpenGrey (Institut de l'Information Scientifique et Technique) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Harvard University
  • University of Toronto
  • Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Economic Growth and Productivity
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Political Conflict and Governance
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Culture, Economy, and Development Studies
Keywords
social conflict, external shocks, social fragmentation, inequality, ethnic fragmentation, rule of law, social safety nets, democratic rights, institutional quality

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