Do Middle Classes Bring Institutional Reforms?

Loayza, Norman ; Rigolini, Jamele ; Llorente, Gonzalo

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: CAPITAL ACCUMULATION;    CAUSAL EFFECT;    CITIZENS;    CORRUPTION;    COUNTRY EFFECTS;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-6015
RP-ID  :  WPS6015

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

The paper examines the link betweenpoverty, the middle class and institutional outcomes using anew cross-country panel dataset on the distribution ofincome and expenditure. It uses an econometric methodologyto gauge whether a larger middle class has a causal effecton policy and institutional outcomes in three areas: socialpolicy in health and education, market-oriented economicstructure and quality of governance. The analysis find thatwhen the middle class becomes larger (measured as theproportion of people earning more than US$10 a day), socialpolicy on health and education becomes more progressive, andthe quality of governance (democratic participation andofficial corruption) also improves. This trend does notoccur at the expense of economic freedom, as a larger middleclass also leads to more market-oriented economic policy ontrade and finance. These beneficial effects of a largermiddle class appear to be more robust than the impact oflower poverty, lower inequality or higher gross domesticproduct per capita. That may be linked to the evolution ofthe middle class: they are more enlightened, more likely totake political actions and have a stronger voice. They alsoshare preferences and values for policy and institutionalreforms, as well as higher stakes in property rights andwealth accumulation.