Does democracy improve life expectancy? Our study analyzes quantitatively and qualitatively the relationship between democracy, state capacity and life expectancy in Latin America, between 1970 and 2010: by conflating the findings of political scientists, sociologists and public health experts, we outline the ways, both direct and indirect, through which this impact unfolds; discuss how these processes developed or failed to develop, in a series of cases; and control this relationship by introducing additional political, economic and social variables. Our findings suggest that both democracy and state capacity improve health conditions: however, the introduction and initial strengthening of democracy lessen the positive impact of state capacity on life expectancy. These conclusions are of consequence: if stronger democracies provide some of the same functions supplied by state capacity, democracy and state capacity act as substitute for each other. Democratization reduces the need for a stronger state in addressing challenging health objectives, as increasing life expectancy, a favorable perspective for developing countries.

Democracy and State Capacity as Determinants of Life Expectancy: Evidence from Latin America

Grassi Davide
2020-01-01

Abstract

Does democracy improve life expectancy? Our study analyzes quantitatively and qualitatively the relationship between democracy, state capacity and life expectancy in Latin America, between 1970 and 2010: by conflating the findings of political scientists, sociologists and public health experts, we outline the ways, both direct and indirect, through which this impact unfolds; discuss how these processes developed or failed to develop, in a series of cases; and control this relationship by introducing additional political, economic and social variables. Our findings suggest that both democracy and state capacity improve health conditions: however, the introduction and initial strengthening of democracy lessen the positive impact of state capacity on life expectancy. These conclusions are of consequence: if stronger democracies provide some of the same functions supplied by state capacity, democracy and state capacity act as substitute for each other. Democratization reduces the need for a stronger state in addressing challenging health objectives, as increasing life expectancy, a favorable perspective for developing countries.
2020
LIV
2
233
259
https://www.annalsfondazioneluigieinaudi.it/browsing/all-issues/
Democracy, State Capacity, Life Expectancy, Latin America
Grassi Davide Vincenzo Memoli
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1763604
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