This research explores the origins of the distribution of time preference across regions. It advances the hypothesis, and establishes empirically that geographical variations in the natural return to agricultural investment have had a persistent effect on the distribution of time preference...

This research develops an evolutionary growth theory that captures the intricate time path of life expectancy in the process of development, shedding new light on the origin of the remarkable rise in life expectancy since the Agricultural Revolution. The theory argues that social, economic and...

DEVELOPMENT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGE FACING THE HUMAN RACE BUT THE PROCESSES DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE BY NO MEANS FULLY UNDERSTOOD. HOWEVER, THE CORE CHALLENGE FOR DEVELOPMENT IS TO ENSURE PRODUCTIVE WORK AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD. THIS CHALLENGE...

DEVELOPMENT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGE FACING THE HUMAN RACE BUT THE PROCESSES DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE BY NO MEANS FULLY UNDERSTOOD. HOWEVER, THE CORE CHALLENGE FOR DEVELOPMENT IS TO ENSURE PRODUCTIVE WORK AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD. THIS CHALLENGE...

This paper sets out a simple spatial model of energy exploitation to ask how the location and productivity of energy resources may affect the distribution of economic activity around the globe. We combine elements from resource and energy economics into one framework linking the spatial...

This is Part 1 of a two-part paper which surveys the historical evidence on the role of institutions in economic growth. The paper provides a critical scrutiny of a number of stylized facts widely accepted in the growth literature. It shows that private-order institutions have not historically...

This is Part 2 of a two-part paper which surveys the historical evidence on the role of institutions in economic growth. The paper provides a critical scrutiny of a number of stylized facts widely accepted in the growth literature. It shows that private-order institutions have not historically...

While the direct impact of geographic endowments on prosperity is present in all countries, in former colonies, geography has also affected colonization policies and, therefore, institutional outcomes. Using non-colonized countries as a control group, I re-examine the theories put forward by La...

OIL AS AN ENERGY PROPELLER, IS THE LARGEST INTERNATIONALLY TRADED COMMODITY THAT SHOWS HIGHLY VISIBLE INTERPLAY OF POLITICS AND ECONOMICS IN THE DETERMINATION OF ITS INVESTMENT, PRODUCTION, TRADE AND PRICING POLICIES. THIS UNIQUENESS, NO DOUBT DEMANDS A WELL ARTICULATED OIL POLICY FOR AN OIL...

Language is a strong and robust determinant of international trade patterns: Countries sharing a common language trade significantly more with each other than countries using different languages, holding other factors constant. In this paper, we show that this trade-promoting effect of language...