作者：University System of Maryland; Towson University
作者：University System of Ohio; Ohio State University; National Bureau of Economic Research; Yale University
摘要：This article assembles new data and methods for studying wealth inequality trends in industrializing America. Inequality grew sharply between 1820 and 1850, leveled off, and increased steadily between 1870 and 1900. Inequality grew due to compositional changes in the population, but also grew within occupations, age groups, and the native-born population. Proposed labor-market explanations are inconsistent with the fact that wealth inequality between occupational groups was declining. Wealth a...
作者：University of Rome Tor Vergata; Duke University
作者：University of Washington; University of Washington Seattle; University of Washington; University of Washington Seattle; Carleton University
摘要：Earlier accounts of the creation of property rights in the California gold fields ignored culture and are incomplete. We argue that culture matters in solving collective-action problems. Such problems in the California gold fields were solved through reliance on cultural focal points. Focal points included individualism, equality, respect for property, and rewards commensurate to work. Cultural concepts of fairness served to create norms and institutions that miner; were willing to defend, whi...
