
A Global Dataset on the Establishment and Design at Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
Fall 2023
Why has the expansion of global capitalism failed to bring democratization to autocracies? This project examines how autocratic leaders can cultivate the self-enforcing global production ecosystem through special economic zones (SEZs)—restricted commercial enclaves where autocrats provide policy concessions such as tax breaks, lower tariffs, and looser regulations. To do so, we assemble an original global dataset on the establishment and institutional design of SEZs. This project will contribute to the dissemination of knowledge by producing a dataset with comprehensive information on all SEZs worldwide, including the starting time, geographic location, legal and regulatory frameworks, etc. The end product of this data collection effort will be a series of papers exploring different channels of how SEZs can substitute for domestic institutions to promote global economic integration, which further affects the prospect of democracy.