Introduction : geographical and historical background -- The world economy at the turn of the first millennium -- World trade 1000-1500 : the economic consequences of Genghis Khan -- World Trade 1500-1650 : old world trade and new world silver -- World trade 1650-1780 : the age of mercantilism...

This paper uses international survey data to document two stylized facts. First, risk aversion is associated with anti-trade attitudes. Second, this effect is smaller in countries with greater levels of government expenditure. The paper thus provides evidence for the microeconomic underpinnings...