This book examines why the differences in comparative economic development across the world have a geographical pattern. It argues that there is a missing component in the geography versus institutions debate, namely the role of culture and its impact either directly on development or indirectly through the establishment of institutions. The impact of geographical features such as climate and natural resources is studied both across countries and within political boundaries and is supplemented by the work of social scientists in other disciplines on culture and cultural evolution. By examining the direct effects of geography on standards of living as well as its indirect effects via culture and institutions, a case is made to tie all three factors into a cohesive explanation for underdevelopment. This book will appeal to readers interested in wider perspectives on under-development that go beyond explanations resting on standard neo-classical economic theory.

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Authors and Affiliations

Economics, Elmira College, Elmira, USA

Mariam Khawar

About the author

Mariam Khawar is Professor of Economics at Elmira College. Her research and teaching interests lie in the area of development economics.

Bibliographic Information

Book Title: The Geography of Underdevelopment
Book Subtitle: Institutions and the Impact of Culture
Authors: Mariam Khawar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55348-5
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan New York
eBook Packages: Economics and Finance, Economics and Finance (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-55347-8Published: 17 May 2017
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-55348-5Published: 16 May 2017
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIX, 125
Number of Illustrations: 9 b/w illustrations
Topics: Economic History, Development Economics, Economic Geography

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

Front Matter

Whither Geography? Reviewing its Impact on Economic Development

Pinpointing the Tropical Effect – The Relevance of Climate

North Versus South – An Examination of Regional Comparative Development in Italy and Brazil

Did Geography Influence the United States?

Untangling Cultural Evolution and Economic Development

Connecting the Arrows – Geography, Culture, Institutions and Economic Development

Back Matter

About this book