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The volatility of survey measures of culture and its consequences

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  • Giulio Zanella
  • Marina M. Bellani

Abstract

Measures of cultural attitudes derived from the World Values Survey are often used in economics to investigate the relation between individual culture and aggregate output. We show (i) that these measures are constructed from underlying variables that exhibit within‐country volatility and time trends; and (ii) that such lack of persistence implies fragile correlations between cultural measures and output. These points are illustrated by revisiting prominent studies in this literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulio Zanella & Marina M. Bellani, 2024. "The volatility of survey measures of culture and its consequences," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(2), pages 675-697, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:62:y:2024:i:2:p:675-697
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13202
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    2. Anghel, Brindusa & Rodríguez-Planas, Núria & Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna, 2020. "Is the math gender gap associated with gender equality? Only in low-income countries," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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