Bones, bombs, and break points: The geography of economic activity

被引:529
作者
Davis, DR
Weinstein, DE
机构
[1] Columbia Univ, Dept Econ, New York, NY 10027 USA
[2] Natl Bur Econ Res, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
关键词
D O I
10.1257/000282802762024502
中图分类号
F [经济];
学科分类号
02 ;
摘要
We consider the distribution of economic activity within a country in light of three leading theories-increasing returns, random growth, and locational fundamentals. To do so, we examine the distribution of regional population in Japan from the Stone Age to the modern era. We also consider the Allied bombing of Japanese cities in WWII as a shock to relative city sizes. Our results support a hybrid theory in which locational fundamentals establish the spatial pattern of relative regional densities, but increasing returns help to determine the degree of spatial differentiation. Long-run city size is robust even to large temporary shocks.
引用
收藏
页码:1269 / 1289
页数:21
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