We create a novel reign-level dataset for European monarchs, covering all major European states between the 10th and 18th centuries. We first document a strong positive relationship between rulers’ cognitive ability and state-level outcomes. To address endogeneity issues, we exploit the facts...

This paper documents persistence in the power of elite families in Central China despite dynastic change. We study the impact of the fall of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) on couples and their descendants (treatment of people), and present evidence on the response of multigenerational family lines...

In 1611, the seventeen-year-old Gustav Adolf ascended the throne of Sweden. Before the new king could sit on his throne, however, he faced a disastrous war against Denmark, another conflict in Russia, and a rebellious nobility at home. Plus, Sweden itself had an arctic climate and a short...

The "monarchy-republic" dichotomy is not conjunctural, but historical in nature and reflects the confrontation between the "two Spains". Each time against the backdrop of crises in the society the conflict worsens. At present, this alternative is closely linked to the revisionism of the last 45...

This article re-examines the relationship between constitutional monarchy and economic growth in Europe. We suggest that economic growth explains the survival of constitutional monarchy rather than vice versa. The empirical results are consistent with our hypothesis

We create a novel reign-level dataset for European monarchs, covering all major European states between the 10th and 18th centuries. We first document a strong positive relationship between rulers' intellectual capabilities and state-level outcomes. To address endogeneity issues, we exploit the...

This book explores the vital role of merchants within early modern China. Unlike European merchants, their Sino-colleagues have long been regarded as certain social pariahs after pre-Qin period, despite the fortune they made. The key mission of this monograph is to investigate whether the...

Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: Institution: designed system faced by Ming merchants -- Chapter 3: Monopoly: merchants and monarchy -- Chapter 4: Taxation: levy on merchants -- Chapter 5: International Trade: merchants’ predicament and opportunities -- Chapter 6: Consumption: two pairs...

Gulf oil monarchies (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates – UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait) are facing big challenges after two major events took place in recent years: oil price plunge and the events derived from the Arab Spring. Combined amplitude of the oil price drop and the aftermath...

Brunei is an interesting read for scholars and public interested in the success story of Brunei's ‘welfare monarchy' and adds value to the hitherto sparse literature on the public administration in petro-states. Using an ‘area studies' approach, it offers rich contextual understanding to...

Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Zinzendorf with Kaunitz in France, 1750-1752 -- Chapter 3. French Intellectual Influence: Melon and Gournay -- Chapter 4. The German Translation of Law's Money and Trade, 1758 -- Chapter 5. The Development of Zinzendorf’s Thinking on State Credit --...

"Classical theorists once predicted that monarchy must eventually give way to capitalism. But is monarchy really dead--an archaic institution from the feudal past? In Royal Capitalism: The Monarchy, Wealth, and Social Classes in Thailand, Puangchon Unchanam examines one particularly successful...

Tullock (2005, p. 160) notes that the perceived robust relationship between democracy and economic progress is due mostly to assumption, rather than analysis. Taking up Tullock's challenge to consider the relationship between economic progress and other political forms, we re-assess the...

Interest in the Gulf had further grown during the Arab Spring, when many questions were raised about the impact on the political sustainability of the authoritarian Gulf monarchies of the revolutionary wave that swept over the Arab world. Attention on the Gulf countries increased even more in...

We use variation in historical state centralization to examine the impact of institutions on cultural norms. The Kuba Kingdom, established in Central Africa in the early 17th century by King Shyaam, had more developed state institutions than the other independent villages and chieftaincies in...

We use variation in historical state centralization to examine the impact of institutions on cultural norms. The Kuba Kingdom, established in Central Africa in the early 17th century by King Shyaam, had more developed state institutions than the other independent villages and chieftaincies in...

The United Kingdom, since the end of the Second World War, has not been vitally trade or defence dependent on Australia. Australia since the advent of European Economic Community has not been vitally trade dependent on the United Kingdom. There are continuing trade and investment relationships...

The six Persian Gulf monarchies are home to some of the world’s largest hydrocarbon reserves, and also some of the cheapest energy prices and highest per-capita consumption. Government subsidies based on socio-political objectives have contributed to regime longevity, but they have also...

The survival of eight monarchies during the "Arab Uprisings" of 2011 has put center stage the fundamental question about the durability of this subtype of authoritarian regime. Seen from a broader historical perspective, however, the idea that monarchies have an inherent advantage in retaining...