This paper studies the role of fiscal capacity in European state consolidation. Our analysis is
organized around novel data on the territories and cities of the Holy Roman Empire in the …

Using novel data on peerage marriages in Britain, I find that low search costs and marriage-
market segregation can generate sorting. Peers courted in the London Season, a matching …

Couple formation and assortative mating significantly influence societal structures, as
marriages between individuals from diverse geographical or social backgrounds promote …

Elites were pivotal for Latin America's modernization, yet granular evidence of their industrial
entrepreneurship is limited. I study Antioquia, an early center of industrialization, from the …

The sociology of elites has long considered families as the unit of analysis in studies of
power dynamics between elite dynasties and their transmission of wealth and prestige over …

A fully-funded philanthropic economic project in precolonial Georgia was proclaimed as
providing a new start in life for England's poor. The project has been praised for altruism and …

Using genealogical data of British aristocrats, we show that inheritances can affect
childlessness. We study settlements, a contract restricting heirs' powers and settling …

This paper examines the role of social interactions in contract enforcement within the
postcolonial Arab world, with a specific focus on Morocco. Through extensive interviews with …

Transitioning from limited to open access societies drives economic development. This
paper provides empirical insight into this institutional transformation by investigating early …

Marriage is a sacred bond between husband and wife to live happily. However, many
couples end up divorcing due to various factors such as disputes, economics, etc. For this …