This paper explores why former British plantation colonies have relatively high levels of democracy through an analysis of one positive case (Mauritius) and one negative case (Guyana). The analysis finds that Mauritius developed an effective democratic system during the final years of...

Crossnational statistical studies show a positive relationship between the length of time a country has been democratic and its economic performance. Old democracies grow faster, ceteris paribus, and also demonstrate advantages in some economic policies thought to be conducive to growth....

<DIV><DIV><P>Traditionally, social scientists have assumed that past imperialism hinders the future development prospects of colonized nations. Challenging this widespread belief, Matthew Lange argues in <I>Lineages of Despotism and Development</I> that countries once under direct British imperial control have...</i></p></div></div>