Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Publication Date

2024

College

Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of

Department

Political Science, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Nathan Griffith

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

Despite a steep decline since the Cold War, socialism still plays an important role on the world stage. Because of this, it is important to continue studying the effects of socialist governance. This study seeks to use multiple linear regression to determine the effect that socialism and economic development (as measured by GDP per capita) has on physical quality of life. Previous studies have examined the relationship between physical quality of life and socialism, but these were done in the 1980s. Much has changed since then, and updated information is required. Additionally, examining the impact of economic development’s impact on physical quality of life will add to the debate regarding which aspect, socialism or economic development, has a greater impact on physical quality of life. Results show that both socialism and economic development have a positive, statistically significant impact on physical quality of life. This suggests that socialism following the collapse of the Eastern Bloc is still capable of producing positive quality of life outcomes. It also suggests that because economic development has a significant impact on improvements in quality of life outcomes, socialist health and education policy when combined with increased economic development would likely see the best quality of life outcomes for developing nations .

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