YSI – Economic History Graduate Webinar: Gerda Asmus

Gerda Asmus, Phd candidate from Heidelberg University and UCSD will present her work: State Presence and Local Economic Development: the Russian State in the Urals.

If you wish to attend, please register for the entire series here: https://forms.gle/LtqDgzoDtAojZg1S8

Attendees will receive by email on Wednesday morning the link to join the webinar.

Abstract:
Abstract: This study investigates the causal effect of the state's monopoly of violence on economic growth at the subnational level. The analysis uses geographic regression discontinuity methods along the boundary created by the largest peasant rebellion in 18th century Russia. It compares changes in economic outcomes in formerly rebel-held areas where the Russian state increased its presence after the uprising ended to those where it did not. The results show that increased state presence fostered the development of roads and of military installations. By WWI, state presence had increased human capital formation but had had a more limited impact on industrialization.