Four essays in the measurement of governance institutions
Posted on:2011-05-30
Degree:Ph.D
Type:Dissertation
University:University of Maryland, College Park
Candidate:Givens, David Michael
Full Text:PDF
GTID:1446390002450140
Subject:Law
Abstract/Summary:
This dissertation produces a new set of orthogonal governance measures based on expert assessment data. Chapter 1 constructs the measures using a factor model. Chapter 2 applies the measures to study comparative economic development. Chapter 3 conducts a number of robustness checks on results from the first two chapters. Chapter 4 uses Monte Carlo experiments to assess potential inaccuracy in my governance measures caused by the application of the maximum-likelihood estimator to polytomous data.