TY - JOUR
T1 - Geography, transparency, and institutions
AU - Mayshar, Joram
AU - Moav, Omer
AU - Neeman, Zvika
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© American Political Science Association 2017.
PY - 2017/8/1
Y1 - 2017/8/1
N2 - We propose a theory in which geographic attributes explain cross-regional institutional differences in (1) the scale of the state, (2) the distribution of power within state hierarchy, and (3) property rights to land. In this theory, geography and technology affect the transparency of farming, and transparency, in turn, affects the elite's ability to appropriate revenue from the farming sector, thus affecting institutions. We apply the theory to explain differences between the institutions of ancient Egypt, southern Mesopotamia, and northern Mesopotamia, and also discuss its relevance to modern phenomena.
AB - We propose a theory in which geographic attributes explain cross-regional institutional differences in (1) the scale of the state, (2) the distribution of power within state hierarchy, and (3) property rights to land. In this theory, geography and technology affect the transparency of farming, and transparency, in turn, affects the elite's ability to appropriate revenue from the farming sector, thus affecting institutions. We apply the theory to explain differences between the institutions of ancient Egypt, southern Mesopotamia, and northern Mesopotamia, and also discuss its relevance to modern phenomena.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85020255875&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0003055417000132
DO - 10.1017/S0003055417000132
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AN - SCOPUS:85020255875
SN - 0003-0554
VL - 111
SP - 622
EP - 636
JO - American Political Science Review
JF - American Political Science Review
IS - 3
ER -