Political business cycle (PBC) theory and empirics typically assume that elections are competitive. Yet, as empirical work on PBCs turns increasingly to developing countries for evidence, this assumption becomes untenable. We propose and test two empirical hypotheses regarding PBCs: first, we...

After briefly reviewing the new institutionalism, this article uses the history of political reform in Africa to test its key tenet: that power, if properly organised, is a productive resource. It does so by exploring the relationship between changes in political institutions and changes in...

After briefly reviewing the new institutionalism, this article uses the history of political reform in Africa to test its key tenet: �that power, if properly organised, is a productive resource. It does so by exploring the relationship between changes in political institutions and changes in...