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A Theory of Cultural Revivals

Author

Listed:
  • Murat Iyigun

    (University of Colorado, Boulder)

  • Jared Rubin

    (Chapman University)

  • Avner Seror

    (Aix-Marseille School of Economics)

Abstract

Why do some societies have political institutions that support productively inefficient outcomes? And why does the political power of elites vested in these outcomes often grow over time, even when they are unable to block more efficient modes of production?We propose an explanation centered on the interplay between political and cultural change. We build a model in which cultural values are transmitted inter-generationally. The cultural composition of society, in turn, determines public good provision as well as the future political power of elites from different cultural groups. We characterize the equilibrium of the model and provide sufficient conditions for the emergence of cultural revivals. These are characterized as movements in which both the cultural composition of society as well as the political power of elites who are vested in productively inefficient outcomes grow over time. We reveal the usefulness of our framework by applying it to two case studies: the Jim Crow South and Turkey’s G¨ulen Movement.

Suggested Citation

  • Murat Iyigun & Jared Rubin & Avner Seror, 2018. "A Theory of Cultural Revivals," Working Papers 18-14, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chu:wpaper:18-14
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    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. A Theory of Cultural Revivals
      by maximorossi in NEP-LTV blog on 2019-11-28 12:44:52

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    Cited by:

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    2. Israel Eruchimovitch & Moti Michaeli & Assaf Sarid, 2024. "On the coevolution of individualism and institutions," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 391-432, September.
    3. Iyigun, Murat & Rubin, Jared & Seror, Avner, 2021. "A theory of cultural revivals," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    4. Belmonte, Alessandro, 2020. "State Capacity, Schooling, and Fascist Education: Evidence from the Reclamation of the Pontine Marshes," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 528, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    5. Lecce, Giampaolo & Ogliari, Laura & Squicciarini, Mara P., 2021. "Birth and migration of scientists: Does religiosity matter? Evidence from 19th-century France," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 274-289.
    6. Jean-Paul Carvalho & Mark Koyama & Cole Williams, 2024. "Resisting Education," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 22(6), pages 2549-2597.
    7. Chaudhary, Latika & Rubin, Jared & Iyer, Sriya & Shrivastava, Anand, 2020. "Culture and colonial legacy: Evidence from public goods games," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 107-129.
    8. Jean-Paul Carvalho & Michael Sacks, 2024. "Radicalisation," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 134(659), pages 1019-1068.
    9. Jean-Paul Carvalho & Jared Rubin & Michael Sacks, 2024. "Correction to: Failed secular revolutions: religious belief, competition, and extremism," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 200(3), pages 587-588, September.
    10. Boubakri, Narjess & Durnev, Art & Oliveira dos Santos, Igor, 2025. "State ownership and financial reporting quality: Evidence from natural advantage industries," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    11. Karaja, Elira & Rubin, Jared, 2022. "Θ The cultural transmission of trust norms: Evidence from a lab in the field on a natural experiment," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 1-19.
    12. Taylor, Alexander N., 2025. "Monumental effects: Confederate monuments in the Post-Reconstruction South," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • N40 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N70 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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