| Abstract: |
The role of economic institutions in shaping development trajectories has been
a central debate in economic thought since Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations
(1776). This dissertation examines the intricate relationship between economic
institutions and development, drawing upon the foundational contributions of
Douglass North (1990) and subsequent scholarship, including Acemoglu and
Robinson (2012). Institutions—both formal and informal—govern economic
behavior, shape incentives, and influence economic outcomes and this
relationship runs in both directions. While formal institutions such as laws
and regulations play a crucial role, informal institutions often determine
economic interactions in contexts where formal structures are weak or absent,
as observed in rural areas of developing countries like Colombia and Burundi.
Institutional changes, such as land formalization, can generate significant
economic shifts, affecting growth, inequality, and policy effectiveness.This
dissertation contributes to the ongoing debate by providing empirical,
quantitative and qualitative analyses of institutional dynamics in rural
Colombia and Burundi. It explores the intersections of formal and informal
institutions with intrahousehold dynamics, gender disparities, financial
inclusion, conflict and land rights. Through rigorous methodological
approaches, this research uncovers mechanisms through which institutions shape
economic behavior and outcomes and the other way around. By shedding light on
these processes, the dissertation aims to inform evidence-based policy
interventions that promote inclusive and sustainable development. The findings
underscore the need for institutional reforms tailored to the specific
socio-economic and political contexts of developing nations, offering insights
that extend beyond Colombia and Burundi to broader development challenges
worldwide. |
| Keywords: |
Microeconomics, empirical economics, quantitative analysis, qualitative research, instituions, land rights, conflict, peace negotiations, land expropriations, gender, gender finance, women banking, collective household model, gender-transformative change, gender roles |