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  3. Journal of Economic Literature
  4. September 2005
  5. Ethnic Diversity and Economic Performance

Journal of Economic Literature

ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)

Ethnic Diversity and Economic Performance

  • Alberto Alesina
  • Eliana La Ferrara
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 43, no. 3, September 2005
(pp. 762–800)
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Abstract

We survey and assess the literature on the positive and negative effects of ethnic diversity on economic policies and outcomes. Our focus is on communities of different size and organizational structure, such as countries, cities in developed countries, and villages and groups in developing countries. We also consider the endogenous formation of political jurisdictions and highlight several open issues in need of further research, in particular the endogenous formation of ethnic identity and the measurement of ethnic diversity.

Citation

Alesina, Alberto, and Eliana La Ferrara. 2005. "Ethnic Diversity and Economic Performance." Journal of Economic Literature, 43 (3): 762–800. DOI: 10.1257/002205105774431243

JEL Classification

  • J15 Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
  • O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration