Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach

Stelios Michalopoulos and Elias Papaioannou

No 24088, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Over the last two decades, the literature on comparative development has moved from country-level to within-country analyses. The questions asked have expanded, as economists have used satellite images of light density at night and other big spatial data to proxy for development at the desired level. The focus has also shifted from uncovering correlations to identifying causal relations, using elaborate econometric techniques including spatial regression discontinuity designs. In this survey we show how the combination of geographic information systems with insights from disciplines ranging from the earth sciences to linguistics and history has transformed the research landscape on the roots of the spatial patterns of development. We discuss the limitations of the luminosity data and associated econometric techniques and conclude by offering some thoughts on future research.

JEL-codes: D0 N0 O1 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-big, nep-his and nep-ure
Note: DEV EFG POL PR
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Published as Stelios Michalopoulos & Elias Papaioannou, 2018. "Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach," Annual Review of Economics, vol 10(1).

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Related works:
Journal Article: Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach (2018)
Working Paper: Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach (2018)
Working Paper: Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso Approach (2017)
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