Geography is not Destiny. Geography, Institutions and Literacy in England, 1837-1863
نویسندگان
چکیده
Geography made rural society in the south-east of England unequal. Economies of scale in grain growing created a farmer elite and many landless laborers. In the pastoral north-west in contrast family farms dominated, with few hired laborers, and modest income disparities. Did this geography driven difference in social structure influence educational outcomes in England 1810-1845? Using new micro-level data we show this geographically-driven inequality is not a strong predictor of regional literacy rates. We conclude that regional literacy differences seem to have been influenced more by culture. In particular areas with more exposure to the highly literate Scottish society to the north seem to have acquired a higher demand for education, independent of local inequality. Geography is not destiny.
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