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The Economic Roots Of The American “Zigzag”: Knives, Forks, And British Mercantilism

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  • TRAVIS J. LYBBERT

Abstract

Relative prices that prevail at critical times can shape culture in precise ways. Building on the work of the renowned archeologist James Deetz, this essay argues that the difference between Europeans’ and Americans’ use of knives and forks at the dinner table is an artifact of British mercantilism, which inflated the price of tableware in the American colonies and preserved the table fork as a colonial luxury long after it was an ordinary utensil in England. Pressures of conformity at the table have locked in these manners, which persist as an enduring effect of the British Navigation Acts. (JEL A10, D02, F13, N00)

Suggested Citation

  • Travis J. Lybbert, 2010. "The Economic Roots Of The American “Zigzag”: Knives, Forks, And British Mercantilism," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 48(3), pages 810-815, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:48:y:2010:i:3:p:810-815
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7295.2009.00217.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Main, Gloria L. & Main, Jackson T., 1988. "Economic Growth and the Standard of Living in Southern New England, 1640–1774," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 48(1), pages 27-46, March.
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    4. Nettels, Curtis P., 1952. "British Mercantilism and the Economic Development of the Thirteen Colonies," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(2), pages 105-114, April.
    5. Luigi Guiso & Paola Sapienza & Luigi Zingales, 2006. "Does Culture Affect Economic Outcomes?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 20(2), pages 23-48, Spring.
    6. Elster, Jon, 1989. "Social Norms and Economic Theory," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 3(4), pages 99-117, Fall.
    7. Gary M. Walton, 1971. "The New Economic History and the Burdens of the Navigation Acts," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 24(4), pages 533-542, November.
    8. Peter D. McClelland, 1973. "The New Economic History and the Burdens of the Navigation Acts: A Comment," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 26(4), pages 679-686, November.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A10 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - General
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • N00 - Economic History - - General - - - General

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