Abstract
Political institutions determine the degree of freedom people enjoy and their capacity
to influence their social and political environment. This chapter provides historical
evidence on the evolution of political institutions drawing upon two major research
projects: the PolityIV dataset and the Vanhanen dataset, which focuses on electoral
participation and competition. Strengths and weaknesses of both databases are
discussed. The chapter shows that global averages are tending to rise according to
both datasets, but with significant differences in timing. Both datasets also show
that the Western Offshoots and Western Europe took the lead in this process, while
other parts of the globe often experienced a much less gradual evolution, with
occasional violent swings in political rights. Yet in the long run, there has been an
impressive improvement in the quality of political institutions worldwide.
to influence their social and political environment. This chapter provides historical
evidence on the evolution of political institutions drawing upon two major research
projects: the PolityIV dataset and the Vanhanen dataset, which focuses on electoral
participation and competition. Strengths and weaknesses of both databases are
discussed. The chapter shows that global averages are tending to rise according to
both datasets, but with significant differences in timing. Both datasets also show
that the Western Offshoots and Western Europe took the lead in this process, while
other parts of the globe often experienced a much less gradual evolution, with
occasional violent swings in political rights. Yet in the long run, there has been an
impressive improvement in the quality of political institutions worldwide.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | How Was Life? |
| Subtitle of host publication | Global Well-being since 1820 |
| Editors | Jan Luiten van Zanden, Joerg Baten, Marco Mira d'Ercole, Auke Rijpma, Conal Smith, Marcel Timmer |
| Publisher | OECD Publishing |
| Pages | 159-177 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-92-64-21426-2 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-92-64-21406-4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |