Conversations with Tyler Nathan Nunn on the Paths to Development
Jul 29, 2020
In a riveting discussion, Nathan Nunn, a Harvard development economist with a diverse professional background, delves into the intricate ties between history, culture, and economic development. He shares insights on the resilience of African economies, the surprising narrative of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the cultural factors behind South Korea's growth. Nunn also critiques the limitations of randomized controlled trials in economics and highlights overlooked Canadian brands, all while revealing the unique commuting experiences of Ottawans.
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State Formation and Success
- A history of state formation is a standard explanation for economic success and nation-building.
- This explanation, while common, lacks depth and doesn't fully explain why past states correlate with present success.
Persistence in Development
- Persistence in development is significant but doesn't explain all variation, similar to smoking causing cancer but not always.
- Decades or centuries of divergent trends are consistent with persistence if it doesn't explain all the variation.
Societal Persistence
- When considering persistence, focus on societies, not locations, as people migrate.
- Southern Africa, with historically developed societies like the Afrikaans, shows promise due to this societal persistence.