Earthquakes, Religion, and Transition to Self-Government in Italian Cities*
Marianna Belloc|Francesco Drago|Roberto Galbiati
Abstract This article presents a unique historical experiment to explore the dynamics of institutional change in Middle Ages. We have assembled novel data set, where information on political institutions for northern central Italian cities between 1000 and 1300 is matched with detailed earthquakes that occurred area period interest. Exploiting panel structure data, we document occurrence an earthquake retarded transition from autocratic regimes self-government (the commune) religious leaders were same person (episcopal see cities), but not powers distinct (non–episcopal cities). Such differential effect holds destructive seismic episodes events felt by population did cause any material damage persons or objects. Ancillary results show provoked positive statistically significant construction further ornamentation buildings episcopal non–episcopal cities. Our findings are consistent idea earthquakes, interpreted Ages as manifestation will outrage God, represented shock people’s beliefs and, consequence, enhanced ability political-religious restore social order after crisis relative emerging communal institutions. interpretation supported evidence.
Quarterly Journal of Economics|HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)|RePEc: Research Papers in Economics|RePEc: Research Papers in Economics|Econstor (Econstor)