Nation-Building, Nationalism and Wars

39 Pages Posted: 24 May 2017 Last revised: 14 Jul 2024

See all articles by Alberto F. Alesina

Alberto F. Alesina

Harvard University - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Bryony Reich

University of Cambridge

Alessandro Riboni

École Polytechnique, Paris - Laboratoire d'Econometrie

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Date Written: May 2017

Abstract

The increase in army size observed in early modern times changed the way states conducted wars. Starting in the late 18th century, states switched from mercenaries to a mass army by conscription. In order for the population to accept to fight and endure war, the government elites began to provide public goods, reduced rent extraction and adopted policies to homogenize the population with nation-building. This paper explores a variety of ways in which nation-building can be implemented and studies its effects as a function of technological innovation in warfare.

Suggested Citation

Alesina, Alberto F. and Reich, Bryony and Riboni, Alessandro, Nation-Building, Nationalism and Wars (May 2017). NBER Working Paper No. w23435, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2971814

Alberto F. Alesina (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Bryony Reich

University of Cambridge ( email )

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Alessandro Riboni

École Polytechnique, Paris - Laboratoire d'Econometrie ( email )

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Paris, 75005
France

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