The economic approach to political borders

Enrico Spolaore

Chapter 10 in Border Studies, 2025, pp 183-202 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter overviews theoretical and empirical studies of political borders from an economic perspective. It reviews theories of the number and size of nations focused on the trade-off between economies of scale in public-good provision and heterogeneity of preferences over public policies as well as on the factors affecting this trade-off, such as democratization, international openness, and conflict. It also reviews theories of political integration and disintegration focused on economic inequality, redistribution policies, and the geographical distribution of resources. Finally, the chapter discusses recent empirical studies that shed light on the relations among heterogeneity, conflict, and borders. This line of research is part of a growing literature on the interplay between cultural variables and economic and political outcomes.

Keywords: Economies of scale; Public goods; Heterogeneity of preferences; Culture; Conflict (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781800375383
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