Acemoglu Joins Mankiw: Effect of Institutions in Growth Through Human Capital

Abstract

Starting from the Augmented Solow Model developed by Mankiw, Romer, & Weil (1992), the present paper considered new perspectives in which institutions are considered “fundamental determinants” to explain economic growth. Through the data panel methodology, and with information for the years 2000, 2005 and 2010 from 87 countries, we used the interactive variables mechanism to verify whether the relationship between human capital and GDP per capita is encouraged by the institutions. The results indicate a positive relationship between economic and political institutions with the effect of education on per capita growth of countries, with greater influence of the former.