Work

Cultural doorways in the barriers to development

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We develop novel indices of cultural similarity among ethnic groups derived from their oral traditions. We find that variation in these indices significantly affects currently observed pairwise disparities in income per capita, even after controlling for measures of geo-climatic, historical, religious, and linguistic barriers. We also propose an empirical exploration of the mechanisms linking folklore similarities to income differences. These findings lend support to the relevance of knowledge, information and technological transfers across people and societies in the diffusion of development.

Source: Journal of Economic Growth

DOI: 10.1007/s10887-025-09253-7

Authors: Marcello D’Amato, Francesco Flaviano Russo

Institutions: Università degli Studi Suor Orsola Benincasa, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance, University of Naples Federico II

Language: English

Topic: Culture, Economy, and Development Studies

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,290