Thursday November 21st, at Bâtiment de Recherches Sud, Campus Condorcet.

Salle Jopoi, (5e étage)

 

Abstract: In this paper, we explore the long-run effects of imperial legacies in Latvia and Estonia. Based on the Life-In-Transition Survey (LiTS) and sub-national official data, we use robust regression discontinuity and we identify persistent differences in development, institutions and political outcomes across the borders of the former imperial regions of Estland (Swedish Estonia), Livonia (Swedish Livonia), Lettgallia (Polish Livonia) and Courland that emerged as a result of the breakup of Livonian Confederation (1561). The underlying cause for this set of differences is the legacy of Swedish vs. Polish imperial rule from the mid-16th to mid/late 18th centuries. We find that Swedish-dominated regions exhibit higher levels of socioeconomic development and stronger beliefs in democracy and institutions than Polish-dominated regions (and particularly Lettgallia). Swedish and Polish imperial contributions to contemporary politics, development and institutions in the Baltic region are mainly transmitted by their divergent legacies on national identity formation.

Bio: Theocharis Grigoriadis is a graduate of the University of Athens, Yale University, Saint Petersburg State University and the University of California, Berkeley. As Professor of Economics at the Institute of East European Studies he concentrates in economics of religion and culture, political economy, comparative economic systems and economic development. His research provides an analytical ground for the identification of mechanisms through which religion shapes political regimes, perceptions of centralization and the provision of public goods. Moreover, he maintains a strong interest in foreign aid effectiveness and its institutions. The chair’s regional focus is on Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, while developing comparative research questions with the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. Teaching interests include political economy, transition economics, energy economics and policy, comparative economics and growth theory.