Persistence – myth and mystery^☆

Abstract

Is persistence a myth or a fact? In this chapter, I survey the literature on persistence in historical economics. I first clarify some of the concepts, before presenting a classification of studies according to the evidence used and the underlying mechanisms that they invoke. In particular, I highlight the need to go beyond a ritualistic invocation of cultural mechanisms, and to take seriously alternative mechanisms like the effects of economic geography. Next, the chapter examines the soundness of recent critiques of the statistical validity of persistence studies. Finally, I conclude with recommendations for future research.