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Institutional Development and Colonial Heritage within Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2012

JOANA NARITOMI ,
RODRIGO R. SOARES  and
JULIANO J. ASSUNÇÃO
JOANA NARITOMI*
Affiliation:
Ph.D. Candidate in Political Economy and Government, Department of Economics, Harvard University, Littauer Center, 1805 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. E-mail: naritomi@fas.harvard.edu.
RODRIGO R. SOARES*
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Department of Economics, Rua Marquês de São Vicente 225, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22451-900, Brazil. E-mail: soares@econ.puc-rio.br.
JULIANO J. ASSUNÇÃO*
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Department of Economics, Rua Marquês de São Vicente 225, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22451-900, Brazil. E-mail: juliano@econ.puc-rio.br.
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Abstract

This article analyzes the determinants of local institutions in Brazil. We show that institutional quality and distribution of land are partly inherited from the colonial histories experienced by different areas of the country. The sugar cane boom—characterized by an oligarchic society—is associated with more land inequality. The gold boom—characterized by a heavily inefficient presence of the Portuguese state—is associated with worse governance and access to justice. We do not find similar effects for a postcolonial boom (coffee). We also find that the colonial episodes are correlated with lower provision of public goods.

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Type
ARTICLES
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The Journal of Economic History , Volume 72 , Issue 2 , 30 May 2012 , pp. 393 - 422
Copyright
Copyright © The Economic History Association 2012

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