Belangengroepen en economische groei: een cross-nationale studie

Samenvatting

In The Rise and Decline of Nations: Economic Growth, Stagflation, and Social Rigidities (New Haven: Yale U Press, 1982), M. Olson presents an analysis of economic development in 48 states, concluding that special interest groups tend to redistribute rather than create income, thus reducing social efficiency & total output. To test the validity of his conclusions, a similar study was conducted with data from 103 countries, correlating the following variables: rate of economic growth; liberal democratic tendencies; median age of the society; influence of special interest groups; & overall level of economic development. Olson's hypothesis was again confirmed; interest groups retard economic growth, while a high level of economic development tends to ensure steady growth. The median age of society & liberal democratic principles have no direct influence on growth, although they do indirectly discourage growth by stimulating the rise of interest groups. 1 Table, 3 Figures, 1 Appendix, 30 References. Modified HA.