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Understanding cultural persistence and change: A replication of Giuliano and Nunn (2021)

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  • Simone Bertoli
  • Melchior Clerc
  • Jordan Loper
  • Èric Roca Fernández

Abstract

Giuliano and Nunn (2021) provide econometric evidence that ancestral climatic variability reduces the current importance of tradition. We conduct a “deep reproduction”, comparing the precise descriptions of the individual‐level regressions in their article with the corresponding code. This analysis uncovers several major inconsistencies, also related to the code not included in their replication package. A published corrigendum addresses some inconsistencies we had also communicated to the Editor of REStud, but several remain, relating to a substantial portion of the observations. A realignment of the code with the text reveals a more nuanced relationship between ancestral climatic variability and tradition.

Suggested Citation

  • Simone Bertoli & Melchior Clerc & Jordan Loper & Èric Roca Fernández, 2026. "Understanding cultural persistence and change: A replication of Giuliano and Nunn (2021)," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 64(1), pages 22-37, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:64:y:2026:i:1:p:22-37
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13242
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Bertoli, Simone & Clerc, Melchior & Loper, Jordan & Roca Fernández, Èric, 2025. "Migration and the epidemiological approach: Time and self-selection into foreign ancestries matter," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • N10 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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