Toward a Political Economy of World Heritage

Abstract

The paper explores the determinants influencing the nomination and selection of sites in the World Heritage List. Using country panel data and a unique dataset with individual site nominations, we provide evidence that the nomination of heritage sites in the List depends on institutional and economic conditions of countries and that sites selection is subject to rent-seeking by states and experts involved in the decision-making process. In particular, we test whether political factors, such as the involvement of countries in the World Heritage Committee, influence the inscription of national heritage sites in the List. The paper contributes to the cultural economics literature by providing new insights on the political economy of conservation and promotion of heritage at the international level.

Keywords: World Heritage Sites, UNESCO, International Political Economy, Panel Data

JEL Classification: Z11, C23, F5