#Econhist papers I (mostly) admire, August 2024

Music, names, beer, post offices, fire, newspapers, buildings, land tenure, managers, and more...

Every month (since Aug 2023) I handpick and review ten standout papers on economic history. This month, I’ve added a complementary ChatGPT-generated advertising slogan! As a paid member, you’ll unlock exclusive access to the complete curated list. Previous lists: Aug 23, Sep 23, Oct 23, Nov 23, Dec 23, Jan 24, Feb 24, Mar 24, Apr 24, May 24, Jun 24, Jul 24.

1. Elite persistence in Sierra Leone: What can names tell us?

Yannick Dupraz and Rebecca Simson

Research Question: This research investigates the persistence of elite status in Sierra Leone, questioning whether elite persistence in Africa is as strong as in other parts of the world, considering historical barriers like limited private property rights and political upheavals. It examines the role of Krio descendants and chiefly lineages in politics, education, and business since 1960, using surnames as a proxy for elite status.

Research Results: The study finds that both Krio descendants and chiefly lineages have maintained a significant presence in elite positions in Sierra Leone from 1960 to the present. Both groups were overrepresented at the time of independence and continue to be so today. The Krio community is especially overrepresented in education and professional fields, while chiefly lineages are more prominent in politics and mining. Compared to other countries, Sierra Leone shows a similar level of persistence in educational elites but lower political persistence than the UK. The analysis highlights a strong path dependence, with elites maintaining influence in their traditional areas. The study uses name analysis to highlight how elite groups persist over generations, despite external economic and political shocks.

Elite in name, elite in power: Discover the legacy of Sierra Leone!

2. When beer is safer than water: Beer availability and mortality from waterborne illnesses

Francisca M. Antman and James M. Flynn

Research question: The paper investigates the impact of beer availability on mortality in 18th-century England, focusing on how beer served as an alternative to unsafe drinking water before modern water purification was understood. The researchers aim to understand whether beer scarcity, influenced by factors like tax increases, weather events, and soil quality, was associated with higher mortality, especially due to waterborne illnesses.

Research results: The study found that beer scarcity was indeed associated with higher mortality rates, particularly during the summer months when waterborne diseases were more prevalent. The research demonstrated that areas with inherently poor water quality experienced greater increases in mortality when beer was scarce, supporting the hypothesis that beer played a significant role in improving health during the Industrial Revolution. The findings highlight the importance of beer as a safer alternative to contaminated water in historical contexts, suggesting it contributed positively to human health and economic development during this period.

Raise a glass to the past – where beer brewed better health!