Understanding Cultural Persistence and Change

80 Pages Posted: 25 Jul 2017

See all articles by Paola Giuliano

Paola Giuliano

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Nathan Nunn

Harvard University - Department of Economics

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Date Written: July 2017

Abstract

When does culture persist and when does it change? We examine a determinant that has been put forth in the anthropology literature: the variability of the environment from one generation to the next. A prediction, which emerges from a class of existing models from evolutionary anthropology, is that following the customs of the previous generation is relatively more beneficial in stable environments where the culture that has evolved up to the previous generation is more likely to be relevant for the subsequent generation. We test this hypothesis by measuring the variability of average temperature across 20-year generations from 500-1900. Looking across countries, ethnic groups, and the descendants of immigrants, we find that populations with ancestors who lived in environments with more stability from one generation to the next place a greater importance in maintaining tradition today. These populations also exhibit more persistence in their traditions over time.

Keywords: Cultural change, Cultural persistence, weather instability

JEL Classification: N10, Q54, Z1

Suggested Citation

Giuliano, Paola and Nunn, Nathan, Understanding Cultural Persistence and Change (July 2017). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP12170, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3008352

Paola Giuliano (Contact Author)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

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IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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Nathan Nunn

Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )

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Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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