Long-run cultural divergence: Evidence from the Neolithic Revolution

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Olsson, Ola; Paik, Christopher
• 署名单位: University of Gothenburg; New York University; New York University Abu Dhabi
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2016.05.003
• 发表日期: 2016
• 页码: 197-213
• 关键词: Neolithic agriculture; Comparative development; Western reversal

摘要

This paper investigates the long-run influence of the Neolithic Revolution on contemporary cultural norms as reflected in the dimension of collectivism-individualism. We present a theory of agricultural origins of cultural divergence, where we claim that the advent of farming in a core region was characterized by collectivist values and eventually triggered the out-migration of individualistic farmers towards more and more peripheral areas. This migration pattern caused the initial cultural divergence, which remained persistent over generations. Using detailed data on the date of adoption of Neolithic agriculture among Western regions and countries, the empirical findings show that the regions which adopted agriculture early also value obedience more and feel less in control of their lives. The findings add to the literature by suggesting the possibility of extremely long-lasting norms and beliefs influencing today's socioeconomic outcomes. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.