Genetic Diversity and the Origins of Cultural Fragmentation

Quamrul Ashraf and Oded Galor

No 7176, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Despite the importance attributed to the effects of diversity on the stability and prosperity of nations, the origins of the uneven distribution of ethnic and cultural fragmentation across countries have been underexplored. Building on the role of deeply-rooted biogeographical forces in comparative development, this research empirically demonstrates that genetic diversity, predominantly determined during the prehistoric "out of Africa" migration of humans, is an underlying cause of various existing manifestations of ethnolinguistic heterogeneity. Further exploration of this uncharted territory may revolutionize the understanding of the effects of deeply-rooted factors on economic development and the composition of human capital across the globe.

Keywords: development; fractionalization; genetic diversity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N30 O10 O50 Z10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 19 pages
Date: 2013-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cul
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (106)

Published - published in: American Economic Review: Papers & Proceedings, 2013, 103 (3), 528-533

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Related works:
Journal Article: Genetic Diversity and the Origins of Cultural Fragmentation (2013)
Working Paper: Genetic Diversity and the Origins of Cultural Fragmentation (2013)
Working Paper: Genetic Diversity and the Origins of Cultural Fragmentation (2013)
Working Paper: Genetic Diversity and the Origins of Cultural Fragmentation (2013)
Working Paper: Genetic Diversity and the Origins of Cultural Fragmentation (2013)
Working Paper: Genetic Diversity and the Origins of Cultural Fragmentation (2013)
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