The Columbian Exchange and conflict in Asia

Mark Dincecco, James Fenske and Anil Menon
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Anil Menon: University of Michigan

CAGE Online Working Paper Series from Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE)

Abstract: Difference in difference and event study analyses in a panel of Asian grid cells over nine centuries demonstrate that greater agricultural potential due to New World crops increased violent conflict after 1500. Rising caloric potential in a typical grid cell increased conflict by roughly its mean. The result holds across several New World crops and conflict types. It is largely driven by South Asia, a densely populated, diverse region with several competing historical states. The evidence supports a rapacity effect – increases in the gains from appropriation to Asian and non-Asian belligerents – as a mechanism. Population density, urbanization, and British imperialism significantly mediate the impact of the Columbian Exchange.

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Date: 2020
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev and nep-his
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Working Paper: The Columbian Exchange and conflict in Asia (2020)
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