The decline of Spain (1500-1850): conjectural estimates

New estimates of land productivity in Belgium, 1750-1850.

The Decline of Intergenerational Coresidence in the United States, 1850 to 2000.

In the mid-nineteenth century, almost 70 percent of persons age 65 or older resided with their adult children; by the end of the twentieth century, fewer than 15 percent did so. Many scholars have argued that the simplification of the living arrangements of the aged resulted primarily from an increase in their resources, which enabled increasing numbers of elders to afford independent living. T...

Conjectural Estimates of Economic Growth in the Lower South, 1720 to 1800

Size and Dynastic Decline: The Principal-Agent Problem in Late Imperial China 1700-1850

This paper argues that one reason for China’s relative economic decline in the 19th century was its size. A ruler governing a big country faces a severe principal-agent problem. Given his monitoring difficulties, his agents have strong incentives to extort from the taxpayers, especially the politically weak ones. To prevent over-exploitation that could foment rebellion, the ruler has to keep ta...

Morbidity in ≤1500-Gram Births in Spain, 1993-2011: Study of a Sample of 1200 Cases

Background and Objective. Preterm birth has a major impact on growth, and very preterm birth is associated with disabilities in numerous developmental domains. This article describes and quantifies morbidities in a sample of 1200 ≤1500-g births in Spain between 1993 and 2011 based on parent information, and it highlights several variables that influence these morbidities. Methods. Multiple meth...