Design and evolution in institutional development: The insignificance of the English Bill of Rights

Peter Murrell, Journal of Comparative Economics 45(1), 36-55, February .

Abstract:

This paper presents some revisionist history on a major event in English history, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the legislation that immediately followed, which included the Bill of Rights.  Previous theorization has claimed that this was a major turning point, beginning England's modern development.  The paper shows in two ways that this claim has no substance.  An analysis of legal history demonstrates that the Bill of Rights contained no new rights.  An analysis of economic data indicates no turning points at the time of the Glorious Revolution--economic progress began before 1688.

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