Natural Experiments in Geography and Institutions: Essays in the Economic History of Denmark

Research output: ThesisPh.D. thesis

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Abstract

Improving the living conditions for future generations is a shared goal that transcends political boundaries. However, finding the path to prosperity remains a formidable challenge. Why do some places prosper, while others stagnate? It is evident that we do not have all the answers; otherwise, we would have already eradicated poverty and successfully addressed the challenges posed by climate change, creating Utopia on Earth. Fortunately, at least for the careers of academic economists, there is still plenty to discover. A fundamental problem in gathering knowledge is that we are rarely allowed to experiment on people over multiple decades or centuries. Instead, as researchers interested in these questions, we have to rely on the odd experiments that somehow appeared by themselves. The idea of using natural experiments has fueled research, which has unravelled important ideas, which will undoubtedly shape and improve the society we live in, in the coming years.
Denmark, with its rich data and history, presents an intriguing case for this. In this thesis, I delve into four cases in Danish economic history that offer natural experiments, providing new insights. This has resulted in four modest contributions that shed light on the role of geography and institutions in determining economic outcomes. It is my hope that these insights can inspire in the design of effective policies and strategies that foster prosperity for future generations.
Translated title of the contributionNaturlige Eksperiment i Geografi og Institutioner: Essays i Danmarks Økonomiske Historie
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University of Southern Denmark
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Sharp, Paul Richard, Principal supervisor
  • Hansen, Casper Worm, Co-supervisor
  • Dahl, Christian Møller, Co-supervisor
Date of defence25. Sept 2023
Publisher
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12. Sept 2023

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