Slavery and Long-run Political Development

• In Event: Political Development in Venezuela and Colombia

Abstract

I trace the long-run political consequences of slavery in Colombia. I will show that the local prevalence of slavery has a detectable effect on present- day political attitudes. Drawing on a large sample of afro Colombians and historical census records, I show that extractive colonial institutions lead to political conflict, ranging from outright violence to election boycott, and this effect can be directly linked to the establishment of excessive demands applied violently. I also use district level data on guerrilla and army violence intensity during the period of the Colombian civil conflict; political participation in several elections; and land claims during the the first half of the last century.

Author

• Mateo Vasquez