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Regional Integration and Cultures in the Age of Knowledge Creation. The Story of the Tower of Babel Revisited

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  • Masahisa Fujita

Abstract

The globalization of the world economy has been proceeding hand in hand with the development of the so-called brain power society. In regard to the globalization of the world economy in terms of the production and trade of traditional goods and services, everyone agrees that lower transport costs will result in greater efficiency. Concerning the development of a brain power society, can we similarly say that lower barriers to communications will increase the creation of knowledge in the long run? In other words, would a paradise of effortless communication be the ideal environment for knowledge creation? In my presentation, I will examine the role of space in the endogenous formation of culture and knowledge creation. In doing so, I will revisit the story of the Tower of Babel and ask whether the expulsion from the paradise of effortless communication was really a punishment or instead a blessing in disguise.

Suggested Citation

  • Masahisa Fujita, 2015. "Regional Integration and Cultures in the Age of Knowledge Creation. The Story of the Tower of Babel Revisited," SCIENZE REGIONALI, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(1), pages 19-40.
    • Handle: RePEc:fan:scresc:v:html10.3280/scre2015-001002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elena Bellini & Gianmarco I. P. Ottaviano & Dino Pinelli & Giovanni Prarolo, 2013. "Cultural Diversity and Economic Performance: Evidence from European Regions," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Riccardo Crescenzi & Marco Percoco (ed.), Geography, Institutions and Regional Economic Performance, edition 127, pages 121-141, Springer.
    2. Marcus Berliant & Masahisa Fujita, 2008. "Knowledge Creation As A Square Dance On The Hilbert Cube," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 49(4), pages 1251-1295, November.
    3. Fernando Ferreira & Joel Waldfogel, 2013. "Pop Internationalism: Has Half a Century of World Music Trade Displaced Local Culture?," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 123, pages 634-664, June.
    4. Peter Gordon, 2013. "Thinking about economic growth: cities, networks, creativity and supply chains for ideas," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 50(3), pages 667-684, June.
    5. Gianmarco I.P. Ottaviano & Giovanni Peri, 2021. "The economic value of cultural diversity: evidence from US cities," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Firms and Workers in a Globalized World Larger Markets, Tougher Competition, chapter 7, pages 187-222, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Creazione di conoscenza; cultura; diversita;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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