The Diffusion of Development: Along Genetic or Geographic Lines?

Campbell, Douglas L. and Pyun, Ju Hyun (2011): The Diffusion of Development: Along Genetic or Geographic Lines?

Abstract

Why are some peoples still poor? Recent research suggests the possibility that some societies may be poor due to their genetic endowments, which are found to be a significant predictor of development even after controlling for an ostensibly exhaustive list of geographic and cultural variables. We find, by contrast, that the impact of genetics on living standards is not robust to the inclusion of basic geographic controls.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Genetics, Economic Development, Geography, Climatic Similarity
• Subjects: O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Innovation ; Research and Development ; Technological Change ; Intellectual Property Rights > O33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences ; Diffusion Processes; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O4 - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity > O40 - General

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