Institutions and demographic responses to shocks: Württemberg, 1634-1870

Arbeitspapier

Simple Malthusian models remain an important tool for understanding pre-modern demographic systems and their connection to the economy. But most recent literature has lost sight of the institutional context for demographic behavior that lay at the heart of Malthus's own analysis. This paper estimates a short-run version of a Malthusian model for two Württemberg communities from 1646 to 1870. Württemberg differed institutionally from the northwest European societies analyzed in previous studies. The impact of institutional differences shows clearly in differing demographic reactions to economic shocks. Mortality was less sensitive to shocks than one would expect, while nuptiality was especially sensitive.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Center Discussion Paper ; No. 962

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: Europe: Pre-1913 ; Demographic Economics: General
• Subject: Malthusian models ; mortality ; fertility ; nuptiality ; guilds

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Guinnane, Timothy W. ; Ogilvie, Sheilagh
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Yale University, Economic Growth Center
• (where): New Haven, CT
• (when): 2008

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/27001
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET