ABSTRACT
The authors investigate the argument that the colonial heritage has meant a huge difference, mainly by hindering the development of countries subjugated to the domination of the Europeans. They wish to enlarge this examination of the weight of the past upon the present by including all forms of colonial rule during modern history and assesses how the experience of colonialism matters today. When explaining the variation in political, social and economic outcomes between the countries of the world today, then one may employ either a cross-sectional or a longitudinal approach. In reality, colonialism has been practised throughout the entire history of humankind, but the concept refers more specifically to the various forms of European domination during the last 200–300 years. Perhaps North would argue that political stability in its turn further advances economic success, or the authors may regard these two outcomes, affluence and political stability, as ends in themselves.
