Bombs, Brains, and Science: The Role of Human and Physical Capital for the Creation of Scientific Knowledge

Fabian Waldinger

Munich Reprints in Economics from University of Munich, Department of Economics

Abstract: I examine the role of human and physical capital for the creation of scientific knowledge. I address the endogeneity of human and physical capital with two exogenous shocks: the dismissal of scientists in Nazi Germany and World War II bombings. A 10% shock to human capital reduced output by 0.2 SD in the short run, and the reduction persisted in the long run. A 10% shock to physical capital reduced output by 0.05 SD in the short run, and the reduction did not persist. The dismissal of star scientists caused much larger reductions in output because they are key for attracting other successful scientists.

Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (76)

Published in Review of Economics and Statistics 5 98(2016): pp. 811-831

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Related works:
Journal Article: Bombs, Brains, and Science: The Role of Human and Physical Capital for the Creation of Scientific Knowledge (2016)
Working Paper: Bombs, brains, and science: the role of human and physical capital for the creation of scientific knowledge (2016)
Working Paper: Bombs, Brains, and Science: The Role of Human and Physical Capital for the Creation of Scientific Knowledge (2012)
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