Constitutional foundations of economic freedom: a time-series cross-section analysis

Abstract

Using time-series cross-section analysis, we provide additional empirical validation for the principal-agent model developed by Adsera, et al. (2003). In our innovation, efficient economic policy is proxied by "economic freedom" from the Fraser Institute database and constitutional "political institutions" are proxied by variables from the Database of Political Institutions. Our results suggest that the more credible the threat of removal from office, the more government officials will pursue efficient economic policies.