Research in Economic History
Ec2339
Presents:
Philip Osafo-Kwaako
Harvard University
“ Long-run Effects of Villagization in Tanzania”
Monday, November 14th, 2011
4:00-5:00PM
Littauer M-17
Abstract: Developmental villages (vijiji vya maendeleo) were introduced in mainland Tanzania over the period 1974-1982 as part of a large-scale resettlement program. This paper investigates the long-run impacts of these villages, examining whether variation in intensity of the government’s villagization program explains within-region variation in social capital outcomes today. An earlier body of social science research largely criticized Tanzania’s villagization program as a failed example of large-scale state planning with adverse consequences for peasants. Combining historic data on Tanzania from the 1970s and recent national household surveys, I first document that developmental villages led to an increase in primary school completion rates. Today, districts which experienced a high share of developmental villages have greater availability of public goods and report higher rates of participation in community activities. I also report instrumental variable estimates based on a drought which facilitated the resettlement of peasants in these villages.
Poster: http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k80156
