Colin O'Reilly
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We present an index measuring state capacity for a long and wide panel of countries from 1789 to 2018. The construction of the index is described in "An Index Measuring State Capacity, 1789-2018."
Download the original dataset and code here, from 1789-2018 (using V-Dem v9).
Download the updated dataset here, from 1789-2022 (using V-Dem v12).
The data is also hosted at the London School of Economics - Pillars of Prosperity website
Download the original dataset and code here, from 1789-2018 (using V-Dem v9).
Download the updated dataset here, from 1789-2022 (using V-Dem v12).
The data is also hosted at the London School of Economics - Pillars of Prosperity website
An Index Measuring State Capacity, 1789-2018
(with Ryan H. Murphy)
Economica (forthcoming)
(with Ryan H. Murphy)
Economica (forthcoming)
Link: An Index Measuring State Capacity, 1789-2018
[SSRN version]
This paper contributes to the literature on state capacity by developing a method that yields an index of state capacity with far more comprehensive data coverage across time and countries than has been possible previously. Unlike narrower measures of fiscal capacity or legal capacity, the index is more comprehensive, using data from the Varieties of Democracy dataset on fiscal capacity, a state's control over its territory, the rule of law, and the provision of public goods used to support markets. Like the previous literature, it demonstrates that the historical prevalence of warfare predicts state capacity. Several exercises are performed to demonstrate the validity of the index in measuring state capacity.
Keywords: State Capacity; Fiscal Capacity; Legal Capacity; Rule of Law; Varieties of Democracy; Institutional Development
JEL Codes: H11; O43; H20; P14
[SSRN version]
This paper contributes to the literature on state capacity by developing a method that yields an index of state capacity with far more comprehensive data coverage across time and countries than has been possible previously. Unlike narrower measures of fiscal capacity or legal capacity, the index is more comprehensive, using data from the Varieties of Democracy dataset on fiscal capacity, a state's control over its territory, the rule of law, and the provision of public goods used to support markets. Like the previous literature, it demonstrates that the historical prevalence of warfare predicts state capacity. Several exercises are performed to demonstrate the validity of the index in measuring state capacity.
Keywords: State Capacity; Fiscal Capacity; Legal Capacity; Rule of Law; Varieties of Democracy; Institutional Development
JEL Codes: H11; O43; H20; P14
