Když kanály mění svět - přínosy Panamského průplavu v minulosti a jeho budoucí konkurence v Nikaraguy

The main goal in this thesis is the analysis of natural experiment in the form of investment notified by expanding the Panama Canal and building the Nicaragua Canal. The analysis of macroeconomic indicators (GDP per capita, unemployment, foreign direct investments etc.) showed that this announcement had almost no impact on the national economy (decrease of 0,4 percentage points, respectively 0,3 percentage points of GDP per capita). But both economies still keep growing in the current trend: Panamanian economy grows faster than the overall average in remaining countries in the region, Nicaraguan economy grows slower. Secondary purpose of the thesis is to analyze historical impacts of the Panama Canal on the Panamanian economy in the past. These impacts are very poor contrary to the expectations. In change of independence Panama did not benefit from the Canal de facto (lack of acces to the Canal and therefore no profits from the Canal). Nicaraguan governemnt should learn from the Panamanian history.