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The Size of Polities in Historical Political Economy

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  • Moriguchi, Chiaki
  • Sng, Tuan-Hwee

Abstract

This paper is organized into four themes. We first appraise the views of historical thinkers in the East and West on the consequences of the size of polities. Next, we survey modern historical studies on the relationship between polity size and governance. We then discuss attempts to provide a unified framework on the causes and consequences of polity size. Finally, we explore how history can illuminate our understanding of the size of polities.

Suggested Citation

  • Moriguchi, Chiaki & Sng, Tuan-Hwee, 2022. "The Size of Polities in Historical Political Economy," CEI Working Paper Series 2022-02, Center for Economic Institutions, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    • Handle: RePEc:hit:hitcei:2022-02
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    File URL: https://hermes-ir.lib.hit-u.ac.jp/hermes/ir/re/74268/wp2022-02.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Size of Nations; Country Size and Governance; Institutions and Growth; Comparative Institutional Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H1 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • N0 - Economic History - - General
    • N4 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation
    • N90 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • P5 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems

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