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Biogeographical Conditions, the Transition to Agriculture and Long-Run Growth

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  • Michael Bleaney
  • Arcangelo Dimico
Abstract
We use new data on the timing of the transition to agriculture, developed by Putterman and Trainor (2006), to test the theory of Diamond (1997) and Olsson and Hibbs (2005) that an earlier transition is reflected in higher incomes today. Our results confirm the theory, even after controlling for institutional quality and other geographical factors. The date of transition is correlated with prehistoric biogeography (the availability of wild grasses and large domesticable animal species). The factors conducive to high per capita incomes today are good institutions, an early transition to agriculture, access to the sea and a low incidence of fatal malaria. Geographical influences have been at work in all of these proximate determinants of per capita income.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Bleaney & Arcangelo Dimico, 2008. "Biogeographical Conditions, the Transition to Agriculture and Long-Run Growth," Discussion Papers 08/15, University of Nottingham, CREDIT.
    • Handle: RePEc:not:notcre:08/15
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    Cited by:

    1. James B. Ang, 2015. "Agricultural Transition And The Adoption Of Primitive Technology," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 53(4), pages 1818-1838, October.
    2. Casper Hansen & Peter Jensen & Christian Skovsgaard, 2015. "Modern gender roles and agricultural history: the Neolithic inheritance," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 365-404, December.
    3. repec:yon:wpaper:2023rwp-218 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    agriculture; geography; growth; institutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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