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The Evolution of Suffrage Institutions in the New World

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2005

STANLEY L. ENGERMAN  and
KENNETH L. SOKOLOFF
STANLEY L. ENGERMAN
Affiliation:
John H. Munro Professor of Economics and Professor of History, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, and Research Associate, NBER. E-mail: enge@troi.cc.rochester.edu.
KENNETH L. SOKOLOFF
Affiliation:
Professor, Department of Economics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1477, and Research Associate, NBER. E-mail: sokoloff@ucla.edu.
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Abstract

Extreme variation in the extent of inequality emerged early across the New World colonies established by the Europeans, and we hypothesized in previous work that these contrasts persisted over time through systematic differences in the ability and inclination of elites to shape legal frameworks to advantage themselves. We find support for this view in how the rules governing the extension of suffrage evolved over time within the United States, and across the societies of the Americas. Polities with labor scarcity and greater equality generally led in broadening the franchise and attaining high rates of participation in elections.

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ARTICLES
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The Journal of Economic History , Volume 65 , Issue 4 , December 2005 , pp. 891 - 921
Copyright
© 2005 The Economic History Association

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