Political centralization in pre-colonial Africa

Journal of Comparative Economics • Vol/Iss. 41(1) • Elsevier • • Published In • Pages: 6-21 •
By Osafo-Kwaako, Philip, Robinson, James A.

Hypothesis

Agricultural potential may predict population density, which in turn could predict political centralization in the world sample, but not in the African sample.

Note

First stage regression resulted in a positive, significant relationship between agricultural potential and population density in both the full sample and Africa subsample. The second stage regression resulted in a positive and significant correlation between population density and the full sample, but not with the Africa subsample.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Two stage least squaresSupportedUNKNOWNUNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Agricultural PotentialIndependentTillage, Production And Supply
Political CentralizationDependentTerritorial Hierarchy
Population DensityDependent & IndependentPopulation