<p>We develop novel indices of cultural similarity among ethnic groups derived from their oral traditions. We find that variation in these indices significantly affects currently observed pairwise disparities in income per capita, even after controlling for measures of geo-climatic, historical, religious, and linguistic barriers. We also propose an empirical exploration of the mechanisms linking folklore similarities to income differences. These findings lend support to the relevance of knowledge, information and technological transfers across people and societies in the diffusion of development.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Cultural doorways in the barriers to development

  • Marcello D’Amato,
  • Francesco Flaviano Russo

摘要

We develop novel indices of cultural similarity among ethnic groups derived from their oral traditions. We find that variation in these indices significantly affects currently observed pairwise disparities in income per capita, even after controlling for measures of geo-climatic, historical, religious, and linguistic barriers. We also propose an empirical exploration of the mechanisms linking folklore similarities to income differences. These findings lend support to the relevance of knowledge, information and technological transfers across people and societies in the diffusion of development.