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Comparative Economics in Historical Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Gerard Roland

    (UC Berkeley
    CEPR
    NBER)

Abstract

This paper presents evidence showing that there have been since antiquity two opposed types of institutional systems: one resembling central planning and present in ancient China, ancient Egypt, the Inca Empire and other territorial states, and another one with strong market institutions, protection of property rights present mostly in city-states not just in the Mediterranean but throughout the world. A new database documenting these diverse institutional clusters from the antiquity is described and their links analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerard Roland, 2018. "Comparative Economics in Historical Perspective," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 60(4), pages 475-501, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:compes:v:60:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1057_s41294-018-0076-2
    DOI: 10.1057/s41294-018-0076-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Greif, Avner & Tabellini, Guido, 2017. "The clan and the corporation: Sustaining cooperation in China and Europe," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 1-35.
    2. Benjamin Enke, 2018. "Kinship Systems, Cooperation, and the Evolution of Culture," CESifo Working Paper Series 6867, CESifo.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Roland, Gerard, 2020. "The deep historical roots of modern culture: A comparative perspective," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 483-508.
    2. Wang, Wei & Cai, Kaiquan & Du, Wenbo & Wu, Xin & Tong, Lu (Carol) & Zhu, Xi & Cao, Xianbin, 2020. "Analysis of the Chinese railway system as a complex network," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    3. Weijia Li, 2020. "Meritocracy in Autocracies: Origins and Consequences," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(2), pages 250-258, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Comparative economics; Comparative history; Institutions in ancient times; Culture; Individualism; Collectivism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N00 - Economic History - - General - - - General
    • P40 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - General
    • P50 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - General

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