摘要：This paper analyzes whether the educational and professional background of a head of
government matters for the implementation of market-liberalizing reforms. Employing panel
data over the period 1970-2002, we present empirical evidence based on a novel data set
covering profession and education of more than 500 political leaders from 73 countries. Our
results show that entrepreneurs, professional scientists, and trained economists are
significantly more reform oriented. Contrary, union executives tend to impede reforms. We
also highlight interactions between profession and education with time in office and the
political leaning of the ruling party.
