Journal of Historical Political Economy > Vol 1 > Issue 3

Slavery, Political Attitudes and Social Capital: Evidence from Brazil

François Seyler, Université Laval, Department of Economics, Canada, francois.seyler.1@ulaval.ca
 
Suggested Citation
François Seyler (2021), "Slavery, Political Attitudes and Social Capital: Evidence from Brazil", Journal of Historical Political Economy: Vol. 1: No. 3, pp 377-409. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/115.00000014

Publication Date: 23 Nov 2021
© 2021 F. Seyler
 
Subjects
Econometric models,  Identification,  Microeconometrics,  Political economy,  Political history,  Voting behavior
 
Keywords
SlaveryBrazilpolitical attitudessocial capital
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
Data 
Empirical Approach 
Main Results 
Conclusions 
References 

Abstract

This paper investigates the long-term influence of slavery and its abolition on development, social capital, and political attitudes in Brazil. I show that slavery and support for coercive institutions — measured by legislators' voting decisions on emancipation related bills at the end of the 19th century — had a persistent negative effect on development, as measured by GDP, poverty, and inequality. Focusing on social capital as a persistence mechanism, I show that the evidence is consistent with slavery and support for coercion having durably negatively affected social capital. In particular, individuals living in historically slavery-intensive municipalities with stronger support for coercive institutions exhibit lower levels of generalized trust today, and are more likely to be less supportive of democracy and to have weaker beliefs on corruption.

DOI:10.1561/115.00000014

Companion

Journal of Historical Political Economy, Volume 1, Issue 3 Special Issue - Slavery and Its Legacies: Articles Overview
See the other articles that are part of this special issue.