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Colonial sugar cultivation in Java and its long-term economic effects: a district-level perspective.

Broos, Nafthali LU (2024) EKHS42 20241
Department of Economic History
Abstract
This thesis aims to study the long-term impact of extractive institutions structured around colonial sugar cultivation on economic development in Java. A spatial district-level model is used in combination with a panel data approach. Two different indicators of colonial sugar cultivation are analysed: one measuring the Cultivation System and one measuring the Liberal Period. The findings suggest that sugar cultivation had a beneficial effect in rural districts and resulted in mixed outcomes in urban districts. Further analysis suggests that the underlying mechanisms are likely structured around agricultural systems. The colonial accumulation of wealth and (unintended) investments are identified as a first potential channel of persistence.... (More)
This thesis aims to study the long-term impact of extractive institutions structured around colonial sugar cultivation on economic development in Java. A spatial district-level model is used in combination with a panel data approach. Two different indicators of colonial sugar cultivation are analysed: one measuring the Cultivation System and one measuring the Liberal Period. The findings suggest that sugar cultivation had a beneficial effect in rural districts and resulted in mixed outcomes in urban districts. Further analysis suggests that the underlying mechanisms are likely structured around agricultural systems. The colonial accumulation of wealth and (unintended) investments are identified as a first potential channel of persistence. The second mechanism revolves around the persistence of inequality-reducing colonial land tenure systems into contemporary institutions. The results highlight the need for a re-evaluation of existing persistence frameworks and emphasize the importance for policymakers to also consider potential beneficial outcomes of extractive institutions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Broos, Nafthali LU
supervisor
organization
course
EKHS42 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Colonialism, sugar cultivation, extractive institutions, colonial inequality, Java
language
English
id
9167099
date added to LUP
2024-06-24 12:19:59
date last changed
2024-06-24 12:19:59
@misc{9167099,
  abstract     = {{This thesis aims to study the long-term impact of extractive institutions structured around colonial sugar cultivation on economic development in Java. A spatial district-level model is used in combination with a panel data approach. Two different indicators of colonial sugar cultivation are analysed: one measuring the Cultivation System and one measuring the Liberal Period. The findings suggest that sugar cultivation had a beneficial effect in rural districts and resulted in mixed outcomes in urban districts. Further analysis suggests that the underlying mechanisms are likely structured around agricultural systems. The colonial accumulation of wealth and (unintended) investments are identified as a first potential channel of persistence. The second mechanism revolves around the persistence of inequality-reducing colonial land tenure systems into contemporary institutions. The results highlight the need for a re-evaluation of existing persistence frameworks and emphasize the importance for policymakers to also consider potential beneficial outcomes of extractive institutions.}},
  author       = {{Broos, Nafthali}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Colonial sugar cultivation in Java and its long-term economic effects: a district-level perspective.}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}