The Continental Axis Theory Revisited

26 Pages Posted: 1 Aug 2011 Last revised: 21 Aug 2011

See all articles by David Laitin

David Laitin

Stanford University - Department of Political Science; Stanford Immigration Policy Lab

Amanda Robinson

Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Political Science

Date Written: 2011

Abstract

This paper provides an empirical test of Jared Diamond’s acclaimed continental axis theory of economic transformation. This variable is the most difficult of Diamond’s several explanatory factors to test, given that the number of continents is too few for statistical analysis. This paper provides a test of one observable implication of this thesis, namely that indigenous languages are more likely to be superseded by imperial languages the more state expansion moves either east or west. It provides significant (though not substantively large or robust) confirmation of it.

Keywords: Continental Axis, Linguistic Persistence, Ethnic Fractionalization

Suggested Citation

Laitin, David and Robinson, Amanda, The Continental Axis Theory Revisited (2011). APSA 2011 Annual Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1899823

David Laitin (Contact Author)

Stanford University - Department of Political Science ( email )

Stanford, CA 94305
United States

Stanford Immigration Policy Lab

30 Alta Road
Stanford, CA 94305
United States

Amanda Robinson

Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Political Science ( email )

Columbus, OH 43210
United States

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