The impact of political leaders' profession and education on reforms
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In: Journal of Comparative Economics, Vol. 37, No. 1, 01.03.2009, p. 169-193.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of political leaders' profession and education on reforms
AU - Dreher, Axel
AU - Lamla, Michael J.
AU - Lein, Sarah M.
AU - Somogyi, Frank
PY - 2009/3/1
Y1 - 2009/3/1
N2 - This paper analyzes whether the educational and professional background of a head of government matters for the implementation of market-liberalizing reforms. Employing panel data over the period 1970-2002, we present empirical evidence based on a novel data set covering profession and education of more than 500 political leaders from 72 countries. Our results show that reforms are more likely during the tenure of former entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs belonging to a left-wing party are more successful in inducing reforms than a member of a right-wing party with the same previous profession. Former professional scientists also promote reforms, the more so, the longer they stay in office. The impact of politicians' education is not robust and depends on the method of estimation. Journal of Comparative Economics 37 (1) (2009) 169-193.
AB - This paper analyzes whether the educational and professional background of a head of government matters for the implementation of market-liberalizing reforms. Employing panel data over the period 1970-2002, we present empirical evidence based on a novel data set covering profession and education of more than 500 political leaders from 72 countries. Our results show that reforms are more likely during the tenure of former entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs belonging to a left-wing party are more successful in inducing reforms than a member of a right-wing party with the same previous profession. Former professional scientists also promote reforms, the more so, the longer they stay in office. The impact of politicians' education is not robust and depends on the method of estimation. Journal of Comparative Economics 37 (1) (2009) 169-193.
KW - Economics
KW - Economic freedom
KW - Economic policy
KW - Leadership
KW - Reforms
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=63249107525&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jce.2008.08.005
DO - 10.1016/j.jce.2008.08.005
M3 - Journal articles
AN - SCOPUS:63249107525
VL - 37
SP - 169
EP - 193
JO - Journal of Comparative Economics
JF - Journal of Comparative Economics
SN - 0147-5967
IS - 1
ER -