This paper presents theory and evidence to show that imperialism was a major factor impeding the spread of the industrial revolution during the century ending in the 1950s. Two empirical results stand out. First, analysis of historical evidence shows that most sovereign countries were...

This paper presents theory and evidence to show that imperialism was a major factor impeding the spread of the industrial revolution during the century ending in the 1950s. Two empirical results stand out. First, analysis of historical evidence shows that most sovereign countries were...

This paper summarizes the results of a book that examined the theory of the economic impact of colonialism, the economic policies pursued by colonial governments from 1800 to 1950, and the impact of these policies on economic growth, industrialization, literacy rates and stock of human capital...

It is the central thesis of this paper that imperialism retarded the development of human resources in lagging countries during the century ending in the 1950s. This result is established both theoretically and empirically. Controlling for other factors that might affect stocks of human capital...

This paper is a theoretical and empirical exploration of the connections between sovereignty (or its absence) and growth rates in lagging countries over the period 1870 to 1950. Using a four-fold taxonomy of sovereignty, our estimates of sovereignty differentials for growth rates of per capita...