Category Archives: EC307

Taxation and Development

A new paper by Besley and Persson illuminating the relationship between development and patterns of taxation. A quick summary from the conclusion of the paper: “As a state moves from collecting a low level of public revenue of around 10% … Continue reading

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Determinants of Democracy

From Nathan Nunn and Paola Giuliano Abstract We provide evidence that a history of democracy at the local level is associated with contemporary democracy at the national level. Auxiliary estimates show that a tradition of local democracy is also associated … Continue reading

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Technological Diffusion

In Economic Growth, we are focusing on technology, efficiency and productivity tomorrow. Here is a current related paper from the Centre for Economic Policy Research. From the Abstract “We find significant evidence that technology diffuses slower to locations that are … Continue reading

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Research and Conservative Talking Points

The connection between culture and economic growth is a complicated one – made particularly difficult by the fact that cultures change far more slowly than patterns in economic growth. Regardless, this column is remarkable for being a concise argument for … Continue reading

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Business as Usual or Sustainable Development

Optimistic as usual, Jeffrey Sachs on the need for sustainable development – a new article at Project Syndicate.

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The Historical Fertility Transition

Today in EC307, I was discussing changes in fertility and population growth, in relation to economic growth. For students (or others) interested in the topic, here is a recent literature survey on the topic. The Historical Fertility Transition: A Guide … Continue reading

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Growth Slowdowns Redux: New Evidence on the Middle-Income Trap

Also of interest to EC307 students – a new NBER paper looking at growth slowdowns in middle income countries. Highlight: But in contrast to our earlier analysis which pointed to the existence of a single mode at which slowdowns occur … Continue reading

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Growth Forecasts by Credit Suisse

Of interest to students in my economic growth class – the predictions of Credit Suisse for 2013 growth. Unless you live in Europe,the forecasts look fairly posititve. The key question for students in EC307 – what reflects long term growth … Continue reading

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Conflict, Trust and Ethnicity – Some unsurprising results?

A new paper by Rohner, Thoenig and Zilibotti with results that are probably not surprising – conflict reduces generalized trust, and increases the relevance that people place in ethnic identity. Abstract We study the effect of civil conflict on social … Continue reading

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Changing Social Contracts: Beliefs and Dissipative Inclusion in Brazil

Inequality is usually very persistent – places with high inequality now will almost surely be very unequal in the future. The reasons for this are uncertain – is it power structures, technology, fundamental economic structures, etc. A new paper by … Continue reading

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