On the basis of a broad sample of quantitative studies in comparative politics, published in leading academic journals between 1989 and 2007, this paper offers an empirical radiography of data usage in comparative empirical research. It provides systematic information about…

This article presents a Monte Carlo EM algorithm to estimate multivariate endogenous switching regression models with censored and/or discrete responses and heteroscedastic errors. Advantages of the algorithm include: (1) it does not require numerical integration; (2) it reduces the estimation…

This paper evaluates to what extent the end-of-sample problem inherent to the Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter may be ameliorated when estimating the trend component of GDP. For that purpose, the filter of St-Amant and van Norden (1997) is proposed using Mexican…

This paper uses a cointegration approach to estimate the demand functions for imports and exports in Mexico. The especification of each function is derived from the model of imperfect substitute goods and are estimated using monthly data over the period…

Electoral authoritarian rulers face a potential strategic dilemma. They need to contain the uncertainty of national elections and they need to maintain a minimum of popular support. Yet, achieving the former through electoral manipulation may hurt the latter. In the…

This paper describes a long term risk index for agricultural disasters. The index is built upon the principle that agricultural disasters follow a self organized critical behavior, which implies that under a wide variety of circumstances, agricultural disasters exhibit a…

Using an original dataset of the prior career paths and ex-post political positions of 1,400 federal deputies from three legislatures (1997-2000, 2000-2003 and 2003-2006), this paper presents the first systematic study of political career choices after the democratic transition in…

Si los cambios de preferencias electorales durante la campaña se han explicado bajo el supuesto teórico de una alta institucionalización del sistema de partidos, entonces cabe preguntarse: ¿bajo qué condiciones ocurre el cambio electoral en democracias con baja institucionalización? Utilizando…

Does stronger integration in world trade affect levels of democracy? Using a system of simultaneous equations in a panel of 23 Latin American countries between 1970 and 1999, this paper assesses the possible channels through which trade may affect democracy.…

I review the current theoretical and econometric literature on the economic dynamics of urbanization and its relation to economic growth. I then report research results on the short- and long-term impacts of urbanization on human development, using Gray and Purser’s…