Job Market Paper
Migration and Long-run Economic Development: Evidence from Settlements in the Pampas
Abstract: This paper analyzes the impact of migration on long-run economic development. In particular, I study the European migration to Argentina in the late nineteenth century. I use an instrumental variables approach to show that the historical population composition generated di fferences in current economic outcomes. The IV randomly assigns immigrants across counties by interacting two sources of exogenous variation: the availability of land for settlement and the arrival of Europeans over time. Areas with historically higher shares of European population currently have signi ficantly higher per-capita GDP, higher education rates and a greater proportion of skilled workers. Moreover, I present results which suggest that industrialization and human capital were channels through which migration had long-run e ffects: counties with higher share of Europeans experienced more advanced levels of industrialization and higher literacy rates. (pdf)
Working Paper
Beliefs in Market Economy and Macroeconomic Crises while Young
Abstract: This paper analyzes how past economic history shapes individual beliefs in market economies. Evidence from a cross section of countries in Latin America indicates that economic crises suffered during early adulthood affect subsequently whether individuals believe that market economies are a source of economic growth. In particular, crises at an age of 22-25 years old reduce the probability of believing in a market economy, while crises at other ages are not relevant for the formation of beliefs. (pdf)
Work in Progress
Population Composition and Human Capital Creation: the Highschool Movement in the U.S.