Article
Domestic Institutional Convergence and Regional Integration: Further Evidence
Publication Date
January 2004
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Aspects of Globalisation, Regionalisation and Business
Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between institutional homogeneity and integration. We argue that the homogeneity of economic institutions within a regional group and the integration process of the group jointly evolve. We examine detailed data on national economic institutions. The data include measurements of the size of government, a country’s legal framework as associated with property rights enforcement, monetary policy, and business regulation. We hypothesize that dissimilarities in these areas increase the transaction costs among economic actors and therefore reduce the level of regional integration in a region. However, as these institutions become increasingly similar, integration improves and furthers the likelihood of increased homogeneity and integration.