Toward a Political Economy of World Heritage

22 Pages Posted: 11 Feb 2011 Last revised: 28 Jan 2013

See all articles by Enrico Bertacchini

Enrico Bertacchini

University of Turin - Department of Economics

Donatella Saccone

University of Turin - Faculty of Economics

Date Written: February 8, 2011

Abstract

The paper explores the determinants influencing the nomination and selection of sites in the World Heritage List. Using country panel data and a unique dataset with individual site nominations, we provide evidence that the nomination of heritage sites in the List depends on institutional and economic conditions of countries and that sites selection is subject to rent-seeking by states and experts involved in the decision-making process. In particular, we test whether political factors, such as the involvement of countries in the World Heritage Committee, influence the inscription of national heritage sites in the List. The paper contributes to the cultural economics literature by providing new insights on the political economy of conservation and promotion of heritage at the international level.

Keywords: World Heritage Sites, UNESCO, International Political Economy, Panel Data

JEL Classification: Z11, C23, F5

Suggested Citation

Bertacchini, Enrico and Saccone, Donatella, Toward a Political Economy of World Heritage (February 8, 2011). Journal of Cultural Economics, 2012, Volume 36, Issue 4, pp 327-352, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1757864 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1757864

Enrico Bertacchini (Contact Author)

University of Turin - Department of Economics ( email )

Via Po 53
Torino, Turin - Piedmont 10100
Italy

Donatella Saccone

University of Turin - Faculty of Economics ( email )

Facoltà di Economia
Corso Unione Sovietica 218 bis
Torino, 10134
Italy

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