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French

Author

Listed:
  • Guillaume Blanc
  • Masahiro Kubo

Abstract

This paper studies nation-building in a fragmented society. We document the adoption of a common language and the construction of a national identity and ideology in France. Using a natural experiment and drawing on a novel dataset on the languages spoken across municipalities on the eve of the twentieth century, we establish that state intervention in the provision of education brought homogenization. To understand why nation-building was successful, we study heterogeneity and find that elites and the demand for education were instrumental in driving homogenization. Additionally, we explore persistent impacts on identity and ideology in the twentieth century, documenting increased participation in the French Resistance and reduced collaboration with the Nazis, alongside an increase in votes supporting political centralization.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillaume Blanc & Masahiro Kubo, 2023. "French," Economics Discussion Paper Series 2308, Economics, The University of Manchester.
    • Handle: RePEc:man:sespap:2308
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • P00 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - General - - - General
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • N40 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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