Understanding Cultural Persistence and Change

Paola Giuliano and Nathan Nunn

No 12170, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: When does culture persist and when does it change? We examine a determinant that has been put forth in the anthropology literature: the variability of the environment from one generation to the next. A prediction, which emerges from a class of existing models from evolutionary anthropology, is that following the customs of the previous generation is relatively more beneficial in stable environments where the culture that has evolved up to the previous generation is more likely to be relevant for the subsequent generation. We test this hypothesis by measuring the variability of average temperature across 20-year generations from 500–1900. Looking across countries, ethnic groups, and the descendants of immigrants, we find that populations with ancestors who lived in environments with more stability from one generation to the next place a greater importance in maintaining tradition today. These populations also exhibit more persistence in their traditions over time.

Keywords: Cultural persistence; Cultural change; Weather instability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N10 Q54 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (59)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Understanding Cultural Persistence and Change (2021)
Working Paper: Understanding Cultural Persistence and Change (2017)
Working Paper: Understanding Cultural Persistence and Change (2017)
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