Research

Working Papers

Overkill, Extinction, and the Neolithic Revolution

(Job Market Paper) [PDF]

This research explores the biogeographical origins of the emergence and spread of agriculture. The theory suggests that mammal species with certain biological traits were more vulnerable to hunting pressure, leading to their extinction. This reduced hunting resources, which in turn pushed humans toward agriculture. To test this hypothesis, I create a measure that captures the loss of hunting resources due to extinction. By using various complementary datasets, controlling for ancient climatic factors, and leveraging certain biological traits that raise extinction risk as exogenous factors, the research shows that the extinction of large herbivores significantly contributed to the Neolithic Revolution.

The Horse, Battles, and The State: Military Origins of Autocracy

[PDF]

This study explores the military origins of the state, battles, and autocracy, highlighting the significant role of the horse. It utilizes several exogenous factors in the development of cavalry, including the spread of metal bits, environmental conditions favoring native horses, and the increased availability of horses in the Americas following the Columbian Exchange. Using various complementary data sets and these exogenous variations, the research shows the adoption of cavalry fostered state formation, battles, and the evolution of autocratic institutions. Additionally, it highlights a persistent impact on autocracy, demonstrating a complementary relationship between an autocratic institution and cultural attitudes toward it.


Biogeographical Origins of Risk Preference

[PDF]

This paper explores the biogeographical origins of differences in risk preference across regions and individuals. The theory shows that individuals whose ancestors lived in regions that had abundant hunting resources tend to be more risk averse. Such regions attracted even risk-averse individuals and thus the population became more risk averse. To test the hypothesis, I construct a novel measure of megaherbivore biomass. I find that this measure is a strong predictor of hunting dependency in traditional societies. I show that, consistent with the theory, descendants of inhabitants of regions characterized by larger megaherbivore biomass have higher risk aversion.

Work in Progress

The Impact of Horses on Native American Nations. Joint with David Cuberes, Rob Gillezeau, and Sadia Mensoor. (A draft is coming soon)

Keeping Pulses on the Soil: Cultivation Practice and the Early Rise of Political Organization. Joint with Christopher Paik. (A draft is coming soon)

American Prosperity: The Role of Upper-Tail Human Capital

Human Admixture: The Short- and Long-Run Impacts on Development