Public Lecture on “Political Regimes and Economic Development

This lecture addresses the relationship between the nature of political regimes and economic development. Drawing from pertinent theoretical debates and empirical studies, this lecture juxtaposes the pros and cons of democratic and authoritarian regimes in promoting economic development. Many scholars and practitioners contend that authoritarian regimes—with an economic development orientation and the ability to provide social and economic stability—can successfully provide sustained economic development. Others argue that democratic regimes—with the protection of property rights and provision of political certainty via democratic competition—can better promote economic development. This lecture suggests that although there is no conclusive evidence to verify the superiority of either type concerning their ability to promote economic growth, it concludes that any regime can only provide economic growth when it has effective state capacity.