Economic Leadership and Growth
76 Pages Posted: 3 Nov 2012 Last revised: 5 Mar 2018
Date Written: December 7, 2017
Abstract
Economies governed by former economics students grow faster than economies governed by leaders with other education backgrounds; a result which is most evident for presidents. Faster growth (average growth) occurs during an economic leader’s first year (entire tenure), primarily through investment. When focusing on close elections which “quasi-randomize” economic leadership, I find a large effect that is robust controlling for a leader’s advanced education. Investors seem to hasten their activity in anticipation of their economic leader’s eventual reduction of the top personal income-tax rate. Overall, the findings suggest that economic leaders improve short-term growth through the anticipation of policy changes.
Keywords: Government Leadership, Economics Education, Economic Growth, Anticipation, Government Finance, Tax Cuts
JEL Classification: A20, E32, D72, H11, H24, H30, I26, O23
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Craig O. Brown (Contact Author)
Northeastern University - D’Amore-McKim School of Business ( email )
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
United States
HOME PAGE: http://craigobrown.me
