Articles tagged with Economic History
Researchers found evidence of precise units of measurement, enabling comparison and calculation of material values, profits, and currencies during the Bronze Age. The discovery suggests widespread knowledge of standard weights and measures across prehistoric Europe.
A new study by Lund University economist Erik Bengtsson challenges the myth that Sweden became a social democracy due to a tradition of independent farmers and a lack of nobility. Instead, he argues that the temperance movement's organisational culture and free churches played a crucial role in shaping the Swedish welfare state.
A new study found that areas near historical Dutch sugar factories in 19th century Java are more developed today, with higher per-capita consumption and better schooling. The research suggests that the creation of a colonial manufacturing industry led to a more modern economy, with places near factories having more public infrastructure.
Researchers analyzed donating behaviors and found that lower income levels do not lead to increased generosity in regions with high economic inequality. The study contradicts previous findings that individuals with lower incomes are more charitable than those with higher incomes.
A new study reveals a strong connection between global warming and rising economic disparities worldwide. The research, led by Noah S. Diffenbaugh and Marshall Burke, suggests that long-term climate change has decreased economic growth in poor countries while increasing it in wealthy nations.
A recent study found that those who conceived months after marriage had more surviving descendants in future generations, giving them an evolutionary advantage. This shift created ideal conditions for economic growth during the Industrial Revolution, as families with moderate fecundity became the dominant population.
Researchers studied long-run effects of immigration in US from 1850 to 1920, finding economic benefits that lasted, including increased manufacturing output and innovation, as well as improved social capital
Researchers used next-generation sequencing to identify additional DNA markers in the carob tree, increasing resolution for population genetics studies. This approach shows promise for analyzing species with limited genetic diversity, including those that underwent strong bottlenecks.
A study by RAND Corporation found that younger Americans are more likely to be arrested than previous generations, linked to lower marriage rates and earnings. Arrests during youth are associated with negative trends later in life, including lower chances of being married and less economic success.
A world-first study maps out regional variations in courage and entrepreneurship, finding that courageous regions have higher start-up rates but lower survival rates. Courage is associated with risk-taking and higher failure rates, posing a 'blind' courage that may undermine realistic evaluations of risks.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland explores how norms related to touch are reproduced through embodied emotions, influenced by Finland's historical trauma and childcare ideals. The researchers analysed a unique set of data, namely touch biographies, which narrate individuals' lives through their touching experiences.
Maroon communities on Hispaniola resisted Spanish economic and labor arrangements, challenging European conquest. The Spanish eventually abandoned the north and west of the island due to African resistance's impact on their resources.
The study reveals that online labor platforms provide companies with a simple and cheap mechanism to hire knowledge workers in lower-income countries. Workers from emerging economies can earn more and have more predictable work hours through these platforms, but their income can be less stable.
In ancient Rome, politicians ruthlessly insulted each other, while the public was allowed to insult them, showing a unique balance of power. The culture of conflict had a politically stabilising effect, with few limits on what was considered acceptable.
A new study finds that lead pollution in Greenland ice closely tracks known plagues, wars, social unrest and imperial expansions during European antiquity. The team's detailed analysis reveals that lead emissions rose and fell along with historical events, including the rise of the Roman Empire.
Researchers analyzed precisely dated measurements of lead pollution in Greenland ice cores to uncover links between estimated lead emissions and historical events. The study found that lead pollution increased during periods of prosperity, such as the Phoenician expansion, and peaked under the Roman Empire.
Researchers analyzed the effects of socialist Salvador Allende's electoral victory and subsequent nationalizations, finding a significant decrease in firm values. A second 'institutional shock' occurred with the coup that replaced Allende with Augusto Pinochet's autocratic rule, leading to a surge in stock market values.
E-cigarettes may be as effective as nicotine replacement therapy in quitting smoking, but concerns over addiction and youth smoking initiation remain. However, experts argue that the risks are largely irrelevant for most vapers, and e-cigarettes can help smokers quit as part of a comprehensive anti-smoking strategy.
A new study from the University of the Witwatersrand reveals that magmas can form chromite deposits through decompression as they rise to the surface, producing valuable resources like platinum and chromium. The study suggests that lithostatic pressure reduction plays a vital role in forming these deposits.
The Sicilian mafia arose from high demand for citrus fruits following physician James Lind's discovery that they could prevent scurvy. Citrus cultivation dominated Sicily's economy, creating a lucrative market that attracted mafia affiliation and protection.
Researchers found that people living in former industrial heartlands are more prone to negative emotions, impulsive behaviors, and struggle with planning and self-motivation. This psychological adversity is thought to be the result of selective migrations during mass industrialization and its social effects on work and living conditions.
The research examines the actions of individual agents incurring debt, exploring social consequences and international regulation. The interdisciplinary network analyzes the phenomenon of debt in complexity, investigating changing responses to public debt over time.
A recent article by Dr Kalim Siddiqui argues that the Bolshevik Revolution inspired Indian independence movements, with Britain's exploitation causing economic decline. The author claims that Marx and Lenin's ideas influenced anti-colonial sentiment, leading to decolonisation and a shift in world history.
Research by Stanford scholar Claire Dunning shows that 1960s anti-poverty programs like New Careers created entry-level human services jobs, predominantly taken by African-American and Latina women. These jobs were low wage and lacked career advancement opportunities.
A study by Hugo Delile and colleagues used high-resolution geochemical and isotopic analyses to reconstruct Rome's urban development. The analysis of a sediment core from Ostia harbor revealed the installation of ancient Rome's lead pipe system was around 2nd century BC, with a peak during the early-high Imperial period.
A study using computer vision algorithms examines millions of Google Street View images to measure urban change, finding that high density and education are key drivers of improvement. The research also supports three classical theories of urban change, highlighting the importance of human capital and education in shaping cities.
Germany's health system has proven remarkably resilient, but faces challenges such as overtreatment and continuity of care issues. The country has the potential to be a strong partner in global health research, but must increase its financial commitment and expertise.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences reveals that Eurasian white oaks arose from a North American ancestor that migrated to Europe. The research also shows that two oak species found on opposite ends of the globe are closest relatives and part of a widespread white oak lineage.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Myanmar's intact forest cover declined by 11% between 2002 and 2014, with a significant loss of 2 million hectares. The researchers suggest prioritizing protection of intact forests and exploring alternative sustainable forest management practices.
Von Reden plans to develop a comprehensive model of exchange between ancient empires, investigating economic systems, cultural exchange, migration, and border regions. Her project aims to avoid eurocentricity and challenge existing historical narratives.
The Augsburg Master Builders' Ledgers provide a unique window into the economic, financial, social, and cultural history of the early modern period. The digital edition, made possible by three years of work, offers a comprehensive inventory of information on the city's income and expenditure from 1320 to 1800.
A study of cocoa varieties grown in Bahia for over 200 years found that they are genetically similar and vulnerable to disease. Researchers identified resistant trees with greater genetic diversity, offering hope for combating witch's broom.
Women engage in cosmetic therapy to improve their professional image and achieve financial stability during economic difficulties. According to a study published in Psychological Science, women's motivations for using makeup have shifted from solely attracting a male partner to also boosting their professional ambitions.
A new study by Dr Natacha Postel-Vinay shows that banks in 1920s Chicago, which experienced a severe real estate boom and bust, were more likely to fail due to their heavy investment in mortgages. The research suggests that today's banks should be cautious not to over-invest in real estate loans.
A new model developed by UCL scientists predicts the 'shelf life' of library and archival collections, taking into account factors such as temperature, humidity, and handling. The model suggests that a hotter and more humid climate will accelerate degradation, but also provides strategies for mitigating damage and optimizing preservation.
A study found that historically black newspapers covered the 1967 Supreme Court case on interracial marriage similarly to mainstream media, challenging common assumptions about their content. Researchers used this finding to highlight the importance of considering diverse perspectives in reporting on civil rights issues.
A new MSU study analyzed historical data from India to find reliable economic information on drug use. It shows that users switch between opium and cannabis when the price of one goes up, a phenomenon called substitution. This finding has significant policy implications for tackling addiction.
Researchers at Northwestern University found Cuba's Internet connection to be among the poorest in the Americas, with information traveling back from the US taking up to 270 milliseconds. The team is exploring a possible configuration problem or routing policy as the cause of this delay.
A new method developed by Penn researchers can quantify the transport distance of river pebbles from their shape alone, providing evidence for an extensive river system on Mars. The study suggests that Martian pebbles traveled around 30 miles from their source, offering insights into the planet's geological history and potential for life.
Three American scientists have been awarded the prestigious International Balzan Prizes for their outstanding contributions to the fields of art history, economic history, astroparticle physics, and oceanography. Hans Belting, Joel Mokyr, Francis Halzen, and David Karl will share a total prize amount of $3 million.
The Head Start program empowered poor children and civil rights activists in Mississippi by including them in the administration of the programs. The program also taught black history and civil rights, providing an alternative to electoral power.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that conflicting histories can lead to mistrust and conflict in negotiations. The study used two experiments with 392 participants, finding that those with asymmetric histories were more likely to reach an impasse during negotiations.
An interdisciplinary research team demonstrated that mobile phone data can be used to quickly and accurately detect, track, and predict changes in the economy. Call detail records were found to predict unemployment rates up to four months before official reports, offering a more accurate alternative to traditional forecasts.
Studies examine how subjective attitudes toward inequality influence ideological positions, with findings suggesting that low-status individuals may withdraw from the political system due to self-evaluative processes. Additionally, research reveals that lack of awareness of income inequality can lead to punishment of poorer individuals.
MIT researchers report that just four pieces of information are enough to identify 90% of people in a data set. Adding coarse-grained price information reduces the number of data points needed to reach 94%. The study highlights the risks of re-identification and encourages socially beneficial uses of big data.
A study found that current magazines, especially gossipy ones, are more prone to disappearance from waiting rooms. Non-gossipy magazines remained intact, and their loss was often linked to cost savings.
The Augsburg Master Builders' ledgers have been awarded a digital edition through an EUR 400,000 German Research Foundation grant. The medieval books will be transcribed and transferred to modern data entry formats for analysis, making them more accessible to historians and researchers.
The International Balzan Foundation announced the 2014 prize winners, including Mario Torelli, Ian Hacking, G. David Tilman, Dennis Sullivan, and Vivre en famille. The foundation's awards focus on innovative research in various fields, with half of the prize money dedicated to supporting young scholars.
A new framework by Aaron Stutz reveals that the human population explosion was rooted in ancient political and economic organization, with a tipping point around 1,500 years ago. This insight offers a fresh perspective on modern-day population dynamics and potential consequences for society.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has established 16 new Priority Programmes, investigating fundamental scientific questions in emerging areas of research. The programmes cover various disciplines and have a total budget of €89 million for the first three-year period.
A recent study by Ohio State University economists found that household wealth in the US has not recovered from the recession, with middle-aged people taking the biggest hit. The study contradicts the Federal Reserve's optimistic report from last summer, which suggested that net worth had recovered since the recession.
A survey of Malagasy fishing villages found that most fishers support gear restrictions but are less supportive of protected areas and species restrictions. The study suggests an implementation approach prioritizing widely accepted restrictions to increase compliance with current and future fisheries regulations.
Researchers found that counties with a history of favoring entrepreneurship and fostering economic self-dependence tend to predict higher self-employment growth rates in the future. The availability of capital matters minimally to self-employment growth, except in small rural counties near metro areas.
A recent study found a strong correlation between literary misery and economic conditions over the past decade. The researchers analyzed millions of books published in English to develop a 'literary misery index,' which reflected the relative abundance of sadness words minus happiness words.
The terraced fields of Zaballa were used for intensive vine cultivation in the 10th century, according to archaeologists. The study provides material evidence of early vine cultivation and highlights the importance of considering abandoned settlements as part of archaeological heritage.
The Turkestan cockroach has become a dominant invasive species in urban areas of the southwestern United States, replacing the oriental cockroach. Its shorter developmental period and higher reproductive rate are key factors contributing to its success.
Research finds severe economic loss during recession increases drunkenness and alcohol problems in men and middle-aged Americans. Men and those aged 30-49 show most adverse effects of economic loss on drinking patterns.
A new study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln political scientist Sergio Wals found that Mexican immigrants tend to be centrist or center-right in their political ideologies. Despite historical trends showing the Hispanic vote going Democratic, Wals' research reveals a more diverse political landscape among Mexican immigrants.
OpenStax College plans to add six more titles by 2015, bringing the total to 25 books, with estimated savings of $750 million for college students. The nonprofit publisher's textbooks are peer-reviewed and equal in quality to costly alternatives.
The book reveals how science, socio-political, cultural, and biological factors have shaped our understanding of stress since the late nineteenth century. Professor Mark Jackson's work highlights the link between stress and disease, tracing it back to Hungarian scientist Hans Selye's theories.