Applied Micro Seminar : Every Tuesday
Time: 12:15 pm – 13:30 pm
Date: 17 of September
Room : 3001

Roberto GALBIATI (Science Po) – “Science under Inquisition : The allocation of talent in early modern Europe.”

Abstract :

We study the Roman Inquisition’s (1542) impact on science during the Scientific Revolution (1500s-1600s). Data on notable people’s activity reveal declining likelihood of scientists being active in states under the Inquisition’s jurisdiction starting in the 1540s. We build and estimate a structural dynamic model of occupational and location choices to explore causal channels and historical counterfactuals. Results indicate that the main drivers of Italy’s scientific decline since mid-1500 are the Inquisition’s deterrence effect, which induced scientists to migrate and discouraged talented individuals from engaging in science, and the training effect stemming from the consequent depletion of the science masters stock. Overall, the Inquisition depressed scientific scholarship in Italy by about 23% during the run-up to the Industrial Revolution. The positive migration spillover on other European states is more than offset by the reduced stock of Italian scientists, so the net spillover on the rest of Europe is also negative.”

Organizers:
Benoît SCHMUTZ (Pôle d’économie du CREST)

Clément MALGOUYRES (Pôle d’économie du CREST)

Sponsors:
CREST