Precolonial Centralization and Modern State Capacity in Africa - Dataset

We empirically examine the determinants of bureaucratic capacity in contemporary Africa. We connect the state capacity literature with historical and anthropological work on African state formation. Our results show a positive and statistically significant impact of precolonial centralization on bureaucratic quality in Africa, from the late-1990s onwards. Before the late-1990s, however, there is no such relationship. Our empirical findings imply that precolonial experiences have become more important over recent decades suggesting a re-emergence of deeper historical roots in Africa as the colonial experience is fading.本研究采用实证方法考察当代非洲官僚能力（bureaucratic capacity）的决定因素，将国家能力（state capacity）相关研究文献与非洲国家建构的历史学、人类学研究相结合。研究结果显示，自20世纪90年代末以来，前殖民时期中央集权（precolonial centralization）对非洲的官僚质量（bureaucratic quality）具有正向且统计显著的影响；而在20世纪90年代末之前，二者并无此类关联。本研究的实证发现表明，近几十年来前殖民时期的历史经验重要性日益凸显，这意味着随着殖民历史的影响逐渐消退，非洲发展的深层历史根源再度显现。