Does Immigration Impact Economic Freedom?

34 Pages Posted: 10 Oct 2014

See all articles by J. R. Clark

J. R. Clark

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Robert Lawson

Southern Methodist University (SMU) - Edwin L. Cox School of Business

Alex Nowrasteh

Cato Institute - Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity

Benjamin Powell

Texas Tech University - Free Market Institute; Texas Tech University - Rawls College of Business

Ryan Murphy

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: May 6, 2014

Abstract

The economics literature generally finds a positive, but small, gain in income to native‐born populations from immigrants and potentially large gains in world incomes. But immigrants can also impact a recipient nation’s institutions. A growing empirical literature supports the importance of strong private property rights, a rule of law, and an environment of economic freedom for promoting long run prosperity. Comparatively little work has tried to explain economic freedom as a dependent variable. This paper empirically examines how immigration impacts a region’s policies and institutions. We find small but positive increases in institutional quality as a result of immigration.

Keywords: Economic Freedom, Immigration, Institutions

JEL Classification: J1, J6, P1

Suggested Citation

Clark, Jeff R. and Lawson, Robert and Nowrasteh, Alex and Powell, Benjamin and Murphy, Ryan, Does Immigration Impact Economic Freedom? (May 6, 2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2507474 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2507474

Jeff R. Clark (Contact Author)

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ( email )

Department of Economics
Suite 313 Fletcher Hall
Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598
United States

Robert Lawson

Southern Methodist University (SMU) - Edwin L. Cox School of Business ( email )

P.O. Box 750333
Dallas, TX 75275-0333
United States

Alex Nowrasteh

Cato Institute - Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity ( email )

1000 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001-5403
United States

Benjamin Powell

Texas Tech University - Free Market Institute ( email )

Box 45059
Lubbock, TX 79409-5059
United States
806.742.7138 (Phone)
806.742.1854 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.fmi.ttu.edu

Texas Tech University - Rawls College of Business ( email )

Lubbock, TX 79409
United States
806.834.3097 (Phone)
806.742.1854 (Fax)

Ryan Murphy

Southern Methodist University (SMU) ( email )

6212 Bishop Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75275
United States

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