Date of Award

2024

Degree Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Political Science, PhD

Program

School of Social Science, Politics, and Evaluation

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Melissa Rogers

Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member

Yi Feng

Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member

Tanu Kumar

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2024 Nazif Sali

Keywords

Deomorcacy, Economic Development, Efficient Democracy, Income Inequality, Relative Political Capacity, Super Democracy

Subject Categories

International Relations | Statistics and Probability

Abstract

Diving into the complex dynamics of income inequality, this dissertation studies the multifaceted relationships between democracy, economic development, and inequality, placing a spotlight on the mediating influence of Relative Political Capacity (RPC). Uncovering the pivotal role of RPC as democracies advance and economies progress, this research navigates the contours of income inequality. By dissecting distinct sub-samples of OECD and non-OECD countries, nuanced insights surface. Employing robust methodologies such as ordinary least squares regressions and fixed effects analysis, I argue that targeted policies addressing inequality can not only foster inclusive economic growth but also fortify the foundations of democratic institutions. As an additional dimension, a forthcoming regional case study focusing on Latin America will enrich the general understanding of these intricate relationships. In the regional case study, I find significant results that Efficient Democracy can lead to reduced levels of income inequality in Latin America. This research contributes significantly to the ongoing discourse on forging equitable and inclusive societies.

ISBN

9798383666166

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