Journal of Economic History V 72, N 2, P 393-422, 2012
Joana Naritomi, Rodrigo Reis Soares, Juliano Assunção.
This article analyzes the determinants of local institutions in Brazil. We show
that institutional quality and distribution of land are partly inherited from the
colonial histories experienced by different areas of the country. The sugar cane
boom—characterized by an oligarchic society—is associated with more land
inequality. The gold boom—characterized by a heavily inefficient presence of
the Portuguese state—is associated with worse governance and access to justice.
We do not find similar effects for a postcolonial boom (coffee). We also find
that the colonial episodes are correlated with lower provision of public goods