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Geography, Land Ownership and Literacy: Historical Evidence from Greek Regions

Author

Listed:
  • Benos, Nikos
  • Karagiannis, Stelios
  • Tsitou, Sofia

Abstract

This study examines the impact of land ownership on literacy rates in a cross-section of Greek provinces around 1900. Consistent with our theoretical framework (Galor et al., 2009), we find that the dominance of large properties has a substantial adverse effect on human capital accumulation. Thus, our evidence explains a substantial part of provincial differences in terms of human capital in early 20th century Greece for the first time. This differs from much of the literature, because Greece was at the early stages of the transition to the industrial era during the period examined.

Suggested Citation

  • Benos, Nikos & Karagiannis, Stelios & Tsitou, Sofia, 2022. "Geography, Land Ownership and Literacy: Historical Evidence from Greek Regions," MPRA Paper 118748, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:118748
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Easterly, William, 2007. "Inequality does cause underdevelopment: Insights from a new instrument," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(2), pages 755-776, November.
    2. Deininger, Klaus & Squire, Lyn, 1998. "New ways of looking at old issues: inequality and growth," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(2), pages 259-287.
    3. Joerg Baten & Ralph Hippe, 2018. "Geography, land inequality and regional numeracy in Europe in historical perspective," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 79-109, March.
    4. Mr. Lennart Erickson & Mr. Dietrich Vollrath, 2004. "Dimensions of Land Inequality and Economic Development," IMF Working Papers 2004/158, International Monetary Fund.
    5. Tasso Adamopoulos & Diego Restuccia, 2022. "Geography and Agricultural Productivity: Cross-Country Evidence from Micro Plot-Level Data," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 89(4), pages 1629-1653.
    6. Cinnirella, Francesco & Hornung, Erik, 2016. "Landownership concentration and the expansion of education," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 135-152.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

    ;

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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