Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach

Stelios Michalopoulos and Elias Papaioannou

No 4, Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute Working Papers from Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Abstract: Over the last two decades, the literature on comparative development has moved from country-level to within-country analyses. The questions asked have expanded, as economists have used satellite images of light density at night and other big spatial data to proxy for development at the desired level. The focus has also shifted from uncovering correlations to identifying causal relations, using elaborate econometric techniques including spatial regression discontinuity designs. In this survey we show how the combination of geographic information systems with insights from disciplines ranging from the earth sciences to linguistics and history has transformed the research landscape on the roots of the spatial patterns of development. We discuss the limitations of the luminosity data and associated econometric techniques and conclude by offering some thoughts on future research.

Keywords: Development; Language; Ethnicity; History; Borders; Luminosity; Regression discontinuity; Regions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N00 N9 O10 O43 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 39 pages
Date: 2017-12-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-big, nep-evo, nep-geo and nep-his
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach (2018)
Working Paper: Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach (2018)
Working Paper: Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach (2017)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fip:fedmoi:0004

DOI: 10.21034/iwp.4

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