Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/176993 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 11189
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper provides evidence of the long-run effects of a permanent increase in agricultural productivity on conflict. We construct a newly digitized and geo-referenced dataset of battles in Europe, the Near East and North Africa covering the period between 1400 and 1900 CE. For variation in permanent improvements in agricultural productivity, we exploit the introduction of potatoes from the Americas to the Old World after the Columbian Exchange. We find that the introduction of potatoes permanently reduced conflict for roughly two centuries. The results are driven by a reduction in civil conflicts.
Subjects: 
conflict
natural resources
long-run development
JEL: 
D74
O13
Q34
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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