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Culture, Ethnicity and Diversity

Author

Listed:
  • Wacziarg, Romain
  • Desmet, Klaus
  • Ortuño-Ortin, Ignacio

Abstract

We investigate the empirical relationship between ethnicity and culture, defined as a vector of traits reflecting norms, values and attitudes. Using surveys of individual values in 76 countries, we find that ethnic identity is a significant predictor of cultural values, yet that within-group variation in culture trumps between-group variation. Thus, in contrast to a commonly held view, ethnic and cultural diversity are unrelated. Although only a small portion of a country's overall cultural heterogeneity occurs between groups, we find that various political economy outcomes (such as civil conflict and public goods provision) worsen when there is greater overlap between ethnicity and culture.

Suggested Citation

  • Wacziarg, Romain & Desmet, Klaus & Ortuño-Ortin, Ignacio, 2015. "Culture, Ethnicity and Diversity," CEPR Discussion Papers 10451, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:10451
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Between-group diversity; Civil conflict; Cultural fractionalization; Cultural traits; Culture; Ethnicity; Heterogeneity; Identity; Social norms; Within-group diversity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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