Divergence in Growth in Post-Communist Countries

In: Journal of public policy, Band 20, Heft 1, S. 55-81

Abstract

The paper analyzes the divergence of economic growth in post-communist countries along geographical lines. It examines the role of culture, manifested in the form of civil society, social capital, trust, religious & business ethics, & historical experience, in the economic growth. Multivariate regression, a path (structural equation) model, & sensitivity analysis are used to determine direct & indirect effects of culture, policy, corruption, war, initial economic conditions, & ethnicity on the economic growth in 28 post-communist countries in 1990-1998. The statistical analyses show that a cultural index, which reflects civil society strength, the proportion of Catholics & Protestants in the population & historical experience, has the strongest effect on growth, economic reform, macroeconomic stabilization policy & corruption. 4 Tables, 1 Figure, 89 References. Adapted from the source document.