Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

12-1995

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Political Science

Major Professor

T. Alexander Smith

Committee Members

Robert Cunnigham, Michael Gant, Robert Maddox

Abstract

This research examines the question why some are more developed than others. The unique feature of this study is that in addition to viewing development as a function of economic, political and/or social factors it focuses on the influence of culture on economic and political development. Consequently, culture is carefully studied, dissected and defined. Since culture is such a complex concept, it is broken down and each one of its major influencers language, religion, ethnicity, history and religion are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on religion because of the significant role it plays in shaping individual and societal behavior. Religion is further subdivided into Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Indigenous Christians, Native Religions and Confucianism.120

Development, as well, is carefully examined and defined. Since development can be defined as a positive. change towards the attainment of a nation's economic, political, social and/or cultural goals these specific goals are carefully reviewed. After a lengthy discussion of pros and cons, per capita GNF is selected as the best available measure of economic development. In addition, the economic policies of nations are analyzed to determine their impact on economic development. Oil exporting countries are flagged to take into account the tremendous income generated by oil after 1973.90

For political development the political rights index, published annually by the Freedom House, was chosen as the measure. As indicators of social development, a variety of measures were scrutinized to include: the Physical Quality of Life Index, homogeneity, civil rights, fertility rate and population growth.45

Two econometric models were constructed to test the economic and political development of 128 countries from 1967 to 1987 using the mentioned variables. The results obtained indicate that countries that have a high per capita GNP generally also have high political rights, a market economy, Roman Catholic or Protestant religion, are mostly homogeneous and have a relatively low fertility rate. If a country does not possess these characteristics and yet has a high per capita GNP, it can be presumed that it is an oil producer.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS