Geography, Transparency, and Institutions

We propose a theory in which geographic attributes explain cross-regional institutional differences in (1) the scale of the state, (2) the distribution of power within state hierarchy, and (3) property rights to land. In this theory, geography and technology affect the transparency of farming, and t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American political science review 2017-08, Vol.111 (3), p.622-636
Main Authors: MAYSHAR, JORAM, MOAV, OMER, NEEMAN, ZVIKA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to Information
Accountability
Agricultural Occupations
Antiquity
Capital assets
Colleges & universities
Disclosure
Egyptian civilization
Farm buildings
Farmers
Farming
Geography
Government (Administrative Body)
Governors
Hierarchies
Institutions
Land
Literature Reviews
Political science
Principals
Productivity
Property rights
Regional differences
Revenue
State power
Success
Taxation
Technology
Tenure
Transparency
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Summary:We propose a theory in which geographic attributes explain cross-regional institutional differences in (1) the scale of the state, (2) the distribution of power within state hierarchy, and (3) property rights to land. In this theory, geography and technology affect the transparency of farming, and transparency, in turn, affects the elite’s ability to appropriate revenue from the farming sector, thus affecting institutions. We apply the theory to explain differences between the institutions of ancient Egypt, southern Mesopotamia, and northern Mesopotamia, and also discuss its relevance to modern phenomena.
ISSN:0003-0554
1537-5943
DOI:10.1017/S0003055417000132