Understanding Cultural Persistence and Change

Paola Giuliano and Nathan Nunn

No 23617, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We examine a determinant of cultural persistence that has emerged from a class of models in evolutionary anthropology: the similarity of the environment across generations. Within these models, when the environment is more similar across generations, the traits that have evolved up to the previous generation are more likely to be optimal for the current generation. In equilibrium, a greater value is placed on tradition and there is greater cultural persistence. We test this hypothesis by measuring the variability of different climatic measures across 20-year generations from 500–1900. Employing a variety of tests, each using different samples and empirical strategies, we find that populations with ancestors who lived in environments with more cross-generational instability place less importance in maintaining tradition today and exhibit less cultural persistence.

JEL-codes: N10 Q54 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cul, nep-gro, nep-ltv, nep-mig, nep-pke, nep-soc and nep-ure
Note: POL
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (56)

Published as Paola Giuliano & Nathan Nunn, 2021. "Understanding Cultural Persistence and Change," The Review of Economic Studies, vol 88(4), pages 1541-1581.

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