Segregation and the Quality of Government in a Cross Section of Countries

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2011
Volume: 101
Issue: 5
Pages: 1872-1911

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We provide a new compilation of data on ethnic, linguistic, and religious composition at the subnational level for a large number of countries. Using these data, we measure segregation of groups within the country. To overcome the endogeneity problem that arises because of mobility and endogenous internal borders, we construct an instrument for segregation. We find that more ethnically and linguistically segregated countries, i.e., those where groups live more spatially separately, have a lower quality of government; there is no relationship between religious segregation and governance. Trust is an important channel of influence; it is lower in more segregated countries. (JEL H11, H77, J15, O17, Z12, Z13)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:101:y:2011:i:5:p:1872-1911
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24