This paper uses a large panel of bilateral bank flow data to assess how institutions and politics affect international capital -bank in particular- flows. The following key findings emerge: 1) The empirical "gravity" model is the benchmark in explaining the volume of international banking...

This paper challenges recent empirical findings that democratic institutions have a negligible direct effect on economic growth. We delve into numerous historical sources and democracy indicators to identify the countries and timing of recent democratization episodes. We then employ a...

This paper uses a large panel of bilateral bank flow data to assess how institutions and politics affect international capital - bank in particular - flows. The following key findings emerge: 1) The empirical "gravity" model is the benchmark in explaining the volume of international banking...