Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Constitutional Political Economy 2/2019

07.11.2018 | Original Paper

Governance and the dimensions of autocracy

verfasst von: Ryan H. Murphy

Erschienen in: Constitutional Political Economy | Ausgabe 2/2019

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Recent work at the frontiers of classical liberal political economy has reconsidered the idea that certain autocratic political institutions may improve on the consensus liberal, constitutional democratic political institutions. This paper will discuss conceptually how these new arguments, predatory forms of autocracy, the status quo of constitutional democracy, and the proponents of more majoritarian forms of democratic governance should be understood in terms of one another. It will then perform a simple empirical examination of the modern world, looking at the quality of governance by country by the quality of its democracy, conditional on a country’s economic output, education, and culture. Examples of autocracy with good governance, even when conditioning on these other variables, are sufficiently rare to raise serious questions for the new classical liberal proponents of autocracy.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Anhänge
Nur mit Berechtigung zugänglich
Fußnoten
1
See Buchanan (1990) for his view on Constitutional Political Economy in his own words. See Congleton (2014) for an overview of Buchanan’s work on the topic.
 
2
It should be noted that MacLean’s work has come under heavy criticism, as the foundations of her criticisms are innuendo and ad hominem attacks, not substantive (Fleury and Marciano, forthcoming).
 
3
“Majoritarian” in this paper will be used as a neutral description of political institutions following the will of more than fifty percent of voters, for the lack of another concise phrase. It is not referring to political institutions similar to the Westminster system.
 
4
Within Classical Liberalism and the Constitutional Political Economy tradition, still other scholars have also suggested that anarchy should be considered as an alternative to the constitutionally constrained state (among many others, see Stringham 2005; Powell and Stringham 2009).
 
5
See Murphy (2015) and Jones (2019). The claim follows from the fact that being rational is costly and in many ways difficult, and that there is little or no individual benefit to voting rationally, as each individual vote has approximately zero impact on any given election. Where individuals should be expected to be systematically biased, it will be fully expressed at the polls, as the cost of doing so is zero. This is where we see the greatest divergence between popular opinion and expert opinion, for example regarding trade and immigration policy. Restrictions on majorities could include possible reforms that are both controversial (e.g., the re-imposition of poll taxes) and non-inflammatory (e.g., extending the terms of legislators). Murphy (2015) emphasizes the implicit tradeoffs in movements away from purer forms of democracy.
 
6
Hoppe (2001) and Salter and Hall (2015) each make strongly worded statements regarding the superiority of certain types of autocracies. Niskanen (1997), Bell (2015, 2017) present more moderate versions of the argument. Besley and Reynal-Querol (2017) can be seen as recent empirical support. More indirectly, Holcombe and Boudreaux (2013) have found that autocrats with longer tenures have ended their regime, but didn’t begin it, with more economic freedom. In contrast, Yanovskiy and Ginker (2017) create a new measure of de facto constitutional constraints on the executive, and find that it correlates positively with rates of economic growth, even after controlling for the quality of property rights enforcement.
 
7
See Murphy (2018) for a discussion of which countries have come the closest to combining socialist economic institutions with otherwise effective state institutions.
 
8
Economic freedom and the quality of governance have conceptual overlap, notably regarding the rule of law and approach to regulatory policy. They do differ however; Guatemala is one example of a country which combines high levels of economic freedom with a very weak state (Murphy 2017). Governance will remain the focus of this paper.
 
9
Governance is spoken of in terms of public provision. Within the sample of countries and time period used, public provision of governance is generally relevant. This is not to deny that governance is often provided privately, or that private governance is low quality. See Stringham (2015).
 
10
The Gambia and Ethiopia combine very low levels of GDP per capita and education with merely somewhat poor governance. Additionally, the most recent trends in both countries is that they are moving in the direction of democracy (The Economist2018; Meseret 2018).
 
11
Hong Kong, which does not receive a score from Polity IV, may function as a second example alongside Singapore, though it is not clear how it would rank relative to Singapore in its executive constraint. Very recent changes to Hong Kongese law may have placed more power in the hands of the executive, but that is contrary to a history of the legislature holding at least some power (Cheng 2017). It is also unclear where Liechtenstein would rank given that the executive has very broad authority if he chooses to exercise it, but the same can be said for the royal family of the United Kingdom.
 
12
These “ancillary factors” are likely internal institutions over which the political order of Singapore arose, in the frame of Voigt (1999).
 
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Acemoglu, D., Naidu, S., Restrepo, P., & Robinson, J. A. Democracy does cause growth. Journal of Political Economy, forthcoming. Acemoglu, D., Naidu, S., Restrepo, P., & Robinson, J. A. Democracy does cause growth. Journal of Political Economy, forthcoming.
Zurück zum Zitat Bell, T. W. (2015). What can corporations teach governments about democratic equality? Social Philosophy and Policy, 31(2), 230–251.CrossRef Bell, T. W. (2015). What can corporations teach governments about democratic equality? Social Philosophy and Policy, 31(2), 230–251.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bell, T. W. (2017). Your next government?: From the nation state to stateless nations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef Bell, T. W. (2017). Your next government?: From the nation state to stateless nations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Besley, T., & Reynal-Querol, M. (2017). The logic of hereditary rule: Theory and evidence. Journal of Economic Growth, 22(2), 123–144.CrossRef Besley, T., & Reynal-Querol, M. (2017). The logic of hereditary rule: Theory and evidence. Journal of Economic Growth, 22(2), 123–144.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bjornskov, C. (2018). The Hayek–Friedman hypothesis on the press: Is there an association between economic freedom and press freedom? Journal of Institutional Economics, 14(4), 617–638.CrossRef Bjornskov, C. (2018). The Hayek–Friedman hypothesis on the press: Is there an association between economic freedom and press freedom? Journal of Institutional Economics, 14(4), 617–638.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bjornskov, C., & Rode, M. (2018). Regime types and regime changes: A new dataset. Working Paper. Bjornskov, C., & Rode, M. (2018). Regime types and regime changes: A new dataset. Working Paper.
Zurück zum Zitat Brennan, J. (2016). Against democracy. Princeton: Princeton University Press.CrossRef Brennan, J. (2016). Against democracy. Princeton: Princeton University Press.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Buchanan, J. (1975). The limits of liberty: Between anarchy and leviathan. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Buchanan, J. (1975). The limits of liberty: Between anarchy and leviathan. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Buchanan, J. (1989). The relatively absolute absolutes. In J. Buchanan (Ed.), Essays on the political economy. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. Buchanan, J. (1989). The relatively absolute absolutes. In J. Buchanan (Ed.), Essays on the political economy. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Buchanan, J. (1990). The doman of constitutional economics. Constitutional Political Economy, 1(1), 1–18.CrossRef Buchanan, J. (1990). The doman of constitutional economics. Constitutional Political Economy, 1(1), 1–18.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Caplan, B. (2007). The myth of the rational voter. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Caplan, B. (2007). The myth of the rational voter. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Cheibub, J. A., Gandhi, J., & Vreeland, J. R. (2010). Democracy and dictatorship revisited. Public Choice, 143(1–2), 67–101.CrossRef Cheibub, J. A., Gandhi, J., & Vreeland, J. R. (2010). Democracy and dictatorship revisited. Public Choice, 143(1–2), 67–101.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Congleton, R. D. (2014). The contractarian constitutional political economy of James Buchanan. Constitutional Political Economy, 25(1), 39–67.CrossRef Congleton, R. D. (2014). The contractarian constitutional political economy of James Buchanan. Constitutional Political Economy, 25(1), 39–67.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Easterly, W. (2014). The tyranny of experts: Economists, dictators, and the forgotten rights of the poor. New York: Basic Books. Easterly, W. (2014). The tyranny of experts: Economists, dictators, and the forgotten rights of the poor. New York: Basic Books.
Zurück zum Zitat Feenstra, R. C., Inklaar, R., & Timmer, M. P. (2015). The next generation of the Penn World Table. American Economic Review, 105(10), 3150–3182.CrossRef Feenstra, R. C., Inklaar, R., & Timmer, M. P. (2015). The next generation of the Penn World Table. American Economic Review, 105(10), 3150–3182.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Fleury, J.-B., & Marciano, A. The sound of silence: A review essay of Nancy MacLean’s democracy in chains—The deep history of the radical right’s stealth plan for America. Journal of Economic Literature, forthcoming. Fleury, J.-B., & Marciano, A. The sound of silence: A review essay of Nancy MacLean’s democracy in chains—The deep history of the radical right’s stealth plan for America. Journal of Economic Literature, forthcoming.
Zurück zum Zitat Friedman, M. (1962). Capitalism and freedom. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Friedman, M. (1962). Capitalism and freedom. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Glaeser, E., La Porta, R., Lopez-de-Silanes, F., & Shleifer, A. (2004). Do institutions cause growth? Journal of Economic Growth, 9(3), 271–303.CrossRef Glaeser, E., La Porta, R., Lopez-de-Silanes, F., & Shleifer, A. (2004). Do institutions cause growth? Journal of Economic Growth, 9(3), 271–303.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gorodnichenko, Y., & Roland, G. (2017). Culture, institutions, and the wealth of nations. Review of Economics and Statistics, 99(3), 402–416.CrossRef Gorodnichenko, Y., & Roland, G. (2017). Culture, institutions, and the wealth of nations. Review of Economics and Statistics, 99(3), 402–416.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hall, J. C. (2016). Institutional convergence: Exit or voice? Journal of Economics and Finance, 40(4), 829–840.CrossRef Hall, J. C. (2016). Institutional convergence: Exit or voice? Journal of Economics and Finance, 40(4), 829–840.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hayek, F. A. (1944). The road to serfdom. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Hayek, F. A. (1944). The road to serfdom. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkow, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill. Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkow, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
Zurück zum Zitat Holcombe, R., & Boudreaux, C. J. (2013). Institutional quality and the tenure of autocrats. Public Choice, 156(3–4), 409–421.CrossRef Holcombe, R., & Boudreaux, C. J. (2013). Institutional quality and the tenure of autocrats. Public Choice, 156(3–4), 409–421.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hoppe, H.-H. (2001). Democracy—The god that failed: The economics and politics of monarchy, democracy, and natural order. New York: Routledge. Hoppe, H.-H. (2001). Democracy—The god that failed: The economics and politics of monarchy, democracy, and natural order. New York: Routledge.
Zurück zum Zitat Jones, G. (2019). 10% less democracy. Stanford: Stanford University Press. Jones, G. (2019). 10% less democracy. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Langbein, L., & Knack, S. (2010). The worldwide governance indicators: Six, one, or none? Journal of Development Studies, 46(2), 350–370.CrossRef Langbein, L., & Knack, S. (2010). The worldwide governance indicators: Six, one, or none? Journal of Development Studies, 46(2), 350–370.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Lawson, R., & Clark, J. R. (2010). Examining the Hayek–Friedman hypothesis on economic and political freedom. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 74(3), 230–239.CrossRef Lawson, R., & Clark, J. R. (2010). Examining the Hayek–Friedman hypothesis on economic and political freedom. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 74(3), 230–239.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat MacLean, N. (2017). Democracy in chains: The deep history of the radical right’s stealth plan for America. New York: Viking. MacLean, N. (2017). Democracy in chains: The deep history of the radical right’s stealth plan for America. New York: Viking.
Zurück zum Zitat Marshall, M. G., Gurr, T. R., & Jaggers, K. (2017). Polity IV Project: Political regime characteristics and transitions, 1800–2016 data users’ manual. Washington, DC: Center for Systemic Peace. Marshall, M. G., Gurr, T. R., & Jaggers, K. (2017). Polity IV Project: Political regime characteristics and transitions, 1800–2016 data users’ manual. Washington, DC: Center for Systemic Peace.
Zurück zum Zitat Murphy, R. H. (2015). Rational irrationality across institutional contexts. Journal des Economistes et des Etudes Humaines, 21(1–2), 67–78. Murphy, R. H. (2015). Rational irrationality across institutional contexts. Journal des Economistes et des Etudes Humaines, 21(1–2), 67–78.
Zurück zum Zitat Murphy, R. H. (2018). The best cases of actually existing socialism. The Independent Review, 23(2), 283–295. Murphy, R. H. (2018). The best cases of actually existing socialism. The Independent Review, 23(2), 283–295.
Zurück zum Zitat Nikolaev, B., & Salahodjaev, R. (2017). Historical prevalence of infectious diseases, cultural values, and the origins of economic institutions. Kyklos, 70, 97–128.CrossRef Nikolaev, B., & Salahodjaev, R. (2017). Historical prevalence of infectious diseases, cultural values, and the origins of economic institutions. Kyklos, 70, 97–128.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Niskanen, W. (1997). Autocratic, democratic, and optimal government: A sketch. Economic Inquiry, 35(3), 464–479.CrossRef Niskanen, W. (1997). Autocratic, democratic, and optimal government: A sketch. Economic Inquiry, 35(3), 464–479.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Powell, B., & Stringham, E. (2009). Public choice and the economic analysis of anarchy: A survey. Public Choice, 140(3–4), 503–538.CrossRef Powell, B., & Stringham, E. (2009). Public choice and the economic analysis of anarchy: A survey. Public Choice, 140(3–4), 503–538.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Pryor, F. L. (2010). Capitalism and freedom? Economic Systems, 34(1), 91–104.CrossRef Pryor, F. L. (2010). Capitalism and freedom? Economic Systems, 34(1), 91–104.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Salter, A. W. (2016). Political property rights and governance outcomes: A theory of the corporate polity. Journal of Private Enterprise, 31(4), 1–20. Salter, A. W. (2016). Political property rights and governance outcomes: A theory of the corporate polity. Journal of Private Enterprise, 31(4), 1–20.
Zurück zum Zitat Salter, A. W., & Hall, A. (2015). Calculating bandits: Quasi-corporate governance and institutional selection in autocracies. Advances in Austrian Economics, 19, 193–213.CrossRef Salter, A. W., & Hall, A. (2015). Calculating bandits: Quasi-corporate governance and institutional selection in autocracies. Advances in Austrian Economics, 19, 193–213.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Stringham, E. (Ed.). (2005). Anarchy, state, and public choice. Northampton: Edward Elgar. Stringham, E. (Ed.). (2005). Anarchy, state, and public choice. Northampton: Edward Elgar.
Zurück zum Zitat Stringham, E. (2015). Private governance: Creating order in economic and social life. Oxford: Oxford University Press.CrossRef Stringham, E. (2015). Private governance: Creating order in economic and social life. Oxford: Oxford University Press.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Vanberg, G. (2018). Constitutional political economy, democratic theory, and institutional design. Public Choice, 177(3–4), 199–216.CrossRef Vanberg, G. (2018). Constitutional political economy, democratic theory, and institutional design. Public Choice, 177(3–4), 199–216.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Voigt, S. (1999). Breaking with the notion of social contract: Constitutions as based on spontaneously arisen institutions. Constitutional Political Economy, 10(3), 283–300.CrossRef Voigt, S. (1999). Breaking with the notion of social contract: Constitutions as based on spontaneously arisen institutions. Constitutional Political Economy, 10(3), 283–300.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Vreeland, J. R. (2008). The effect of political regime on civil war: Unpacking anocracy. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 52(3), 401–425.CrossRef Vreeland, J. R. (2008). The effect of political regime on civil war: Unpacking anocracy. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 52(3), 401–425.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Williamson, C. (2009). Informal institutions rule: Institutional arrangements and economic performance. Public Choice, 139(3/4), 371–387.CrossRef Williamson, C. (2009). Informal institutions rule: Institutional arrangements and economic performance. Public Choice, 139(3/4), 371–387.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Yanovskiy, M., & Ginker, T. (2017). A proposal for a more objective measure of de facto constitutional constraints. Constitutional Political Economy, 28(4), 311–320.CrossRef Yanovskiy, M., & Ginker, T. (2017). A proposal for a more objective measure of de facto constitutional constraints. Constitutional Political Economy, 28(4), 311–320.CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Governance and the dimensions of autocracy
verfasst von
Ryan H. Murphy
Publikationsdatum
07.11.2018
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Constitutional Political Economy / Ausgabe 2/2019
Print ISSN: 1043-4062
Elektronische ISSN: 1572-9966
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10602-018-9270-5

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 2/2019

Constitutional Political Economy 2/2019 Zur Ausgabe