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7461. The Developmental Legacies of the Bifurcated Colonial State: Statistical Evidence from Sixty-Seven British, French, and Portuguese Colonies

Author:
Olukunle P. Owolabi
Publication Date:
04-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Kellogg Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
This paper examines the impact of bifurcated colonial institutions—i.e. the use of distinctive legal codes for “native” vs. “settler” populations—for long-term development in 67 former British, French, and Portuguese colonies. Building on theoretical arguments by Mahmood Mamdani (1996) and Matthew Lange’s empirical research on the distinctive developmental legacies of direct vs. indirect British rule, I develop a new measure of legal-administrative bifurcation in French and Portuguese colonies. Consistent with Mamdani’s theoretical arguments, the statistical models in this paper demonstrate that bifurcated colonial institutions contributed to poor development outcomes and ineffective postcolonial governance among British, French, and Portuguese colonies alike. Regardless of the colonizing power, directly ruled colonies with a uniform and inclusive legal-administrative framework have better development outcomes than bifurcated colonial states that maintained distinctive “native” legal codes for indigenous populations. These results are robust to a variety of statistical controls, as well as to instrumental variable analysis, highlighting the enduring legacy of colonial institutions for human well-being and governmental effectiveness today.
Topic:
Post Colonialism and Global Political Economy
Political Geography:
Global Focus

7462. Islam, Christianity, and Attitudes Toward Women's Political Equality: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Author:
Kristin Michelitch and Keith R Weghorst
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Kellogg Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
Many characterize adherence to Islam as antithetical to women's political equality due to cross-national analyses showing a correlation between Muslim majority countries and higher gender inequality. Others argue that political, economic, and social contextual factors coinciding with religion confound the relationship. A third viewpoint holds that the meaning and salience of religion for women's political equality is fluid and endogenous to such contextual factors. We take a new empirical approach to address these questions by conducting analyses of gender attitudes within and across mixed Muslim-Christian countries in Africa. Consistent with the third viewpoint, we find that within-country gaps between Muslims and Christians are variable in size and direction. Such gaps are generally reduced through within-country matching, indicating at least partial confounding of religion on observable factors. While Muslims are generally more conservative than Christians, the impact of religion on attitudes is far less explanatory than country-level fixed effects and socioeconomic attributes such as gender. Religiosity increases egalitarianism for Christians but has no systematic effect for Muslims. Women of both religions are more egalitarian than men, and the effect of Islam is much larger for men than for women.
Topic:
Islam and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

7463. The Time Inconsistency of Long Constitutions: Evidence from the World

Author:
George Tsebelis
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Kellogg Institute for International Studies
Abstract:
This paper analyzes the mechanisms that establish time consistency of constitutions. It explains why shorter and more locked constitutions are more likely to be time consistent (change less), whereas long constitutions are more time inconsistent (change more, despite locking). Empirical evidence from all the democratic countries in the world indicates that the length and locking of constitutions are not independent criteria and that their combination leads to less time consistency. To address this interrelationship, I develop a measure of time inconsistency (a combination of locking and amendment rate) and show that it is connected with the length of constitutions. I show how time inconsistency is incompatible with theories of “constitutional amendment culture” (Ginsburg and Melton 2015), not only at the theoretical level but also empirically. Finally, I demonstrate that the empirical findings of Tsebelis and Nardi (2016) that length of constitutions is related to lower per capita income and higher corruption are not only in agreement with time inconsistency arguments but are corroborated beyond OECD countries to all democracies.
Topic:
International Organization
Political Geography:
Global Focus

7464. Back to Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations? – Some Basic Truths

Author:
Amb Alan Baker
Publication Date:
12-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Abstract:
Any genuine and serious peace negotiating plan for Israel and the Palestinians should naturally be seen as a welcome alternative to the present situation of impasse in the peace process. However, the American peace plan should not be overestimated or idealized by exaggerated media hype and political manipulation.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Jerusalem

7465. Escalation in the Conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia

Author:
Michael Segall
Publication Date:
12-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Abstract:
Iran and Saudi Arabia, on the two sides of the Sunni-Shiite fault line, are trying to gain influence in reshaping the Middle East.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Jerusalem

7466. Congress of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Author:
Ambassador Dore Gold
Publication Date:
11-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Abstract:
Today, I am not going to address the question of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem directly. It is my view that President Donald Trump has made a commitment in that regard and I believe he will stand by what he has said. The United States will evaluate the timing and circumstances for executing that decision in accordance with its interests.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

7467. Is the Saudi Throne Shaking?

Author:
Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah
Publication Date:
11-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Abstract:
Under the pretext of waging an anti-corruption campaign, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, in concert with his son Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (known as MBS), undertook one of the most dramatic moves in Saudi politics ever taken. They ordered the arrest of 11 royal princes, four former ministers, the chief of the Royal Navy, former heads of the Royal Cabinet, and scores of ex-officials and businessmen, including international financier Al-Waleed bin Talal.
Topic:
International Security
Political Geography:
Saudi Arabia

7468. A Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation. Has Anything Changed?

Author:
Ben Yoni Menachem
Publication Date:
11-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Abstract:
Fatah and Hamas representatives will meet again in Cairo for a further round of talks on the difficult issues that so far have prevented a reconciliation.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Middle East

7469. Iran and Hamas Reconnect

Author:
Michael Lt. Col. (ret.) Segall
Publication Date:
09-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Abstract:
Today, amid Hamas’ ongoing distress, the changes in its leadership both within and outside of Gaza, and the decline in its funding and political support, the movement is seeking to warm its ties with Tehran.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Iran

7470. Iran’s New Defense Minister Is Committed to Iran’s Missile Program and the Export of the Revolution

Author:
Michael Segall
Publication Date:
08-2017
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Abstract:
The new Iranian defense minister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, strongly supports the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its commander Qasem Soleimani, and the “resistance front.”
Topic:
International Security
Political Geography:
Iran