“Effects of History on Economic Development” Learning Path

Over the last twenty years, there has been a large growth in interest on historical explanations for current levels of development. There is growing evidence that the causes of differing levels of development between nations and ethnic groups is in the distant past. Most of this research goes back centuries or even millennia for explanations.

I recommend that you read these book/article summaries in the following order:

  1. “The WIERDest People in the World” by Joseph Henrich
  2. “Escape from Rome: The Failure of Empire and the Road to Prosperity” by Walter Scheidel
  3. “How Deep are the Roots of Economic Development?” by Spolaore and Wacziarg
  4. “Was the Industrial Revolution Inevitable?” by Charles Jones
  5. “Was the Wealth of Nations Determined in 1000 BC? ” by many
  6. “The European Origins of Economic Development” by Easterly and Levine
  7. “Biogeography and Long-Run Economic Development” by Olsson and Hibbs
  8. “Influence of Ancestral Lifeways on Economic Outcomes in Africa” by Michalopoulos, Putterman & Weil
  9. “The Effect of the TseTse Fly on African Development” by Marcella Alsan