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Biological welfare and the commons: A natural experiment in the Alps, 1765–1845

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  • O’Grady, Trevor
  • Tagliapietra, Claudio

Abstract

In the late 18th century hundreds self-governing alpine communities in Northern Italy came under the direct control of centralized states (Austria and France) at different times. We exploit the timing and location of these interventions in a DD type design to investigate the effects of removing CPR institutions on biological welfare. We find a significant and persistent increase in infant mortality rates and a more modest decrease in birth rates as a result of state centralization. We provide evidence that these demographic changes reflect a critical loss of natural resource income caused by the disruption of communal institutions. Impacts are most severe in communities that have no prior experience with formal institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • O’Grady, Trevor & Tagliapietra, Claudio, 2017. "Biological welfare and the commons: A natural experiment in the Alps, 1765–1845," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 27(PA), pages 137-153.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:27:y:2017:i:pa:p:137-153
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2017.05.008
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    Cited by:

    1. Casari, Marco & Lisciandra, Maurizio & Tagliapietra, Claudio, 2019. "Property Rights, Marriage, and Fertility in the Italian Alps, 1790–1820," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 72-92.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    D23; K11; L14; N53; P48; Common property; Centralization; Infant mortality; Habsburgs; Napoleon;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • K11 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Property Law
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • N53 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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