Bones, bombs and break points: The geography of economic activity

Working papers:

Title:: Bones, bombs and break points: The geography of economic activity
Author(s):: Weinstein, David E.
Davis, Donald R.
Date:: 2001
Type:: Working papers
Department:: Center on Japanese Economy and Business
Permanent URL:: http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:293
Series:: Center on Japanese Economy and Business Working Papers
Part Number:: 192
Publisher:: Center on Japanese Economy and Business, Graduate School of Business, Columbia University
Publisher Location:: New York
Abstract:: We consider the distribution of economic activity within a country in light of three leading theories -- increasing returns, random growth, and locational fundamentals. To do so, we examine the distribution of regional population in Japan from the Stone Age to the modern era. We also consider the Allied bombing of Japanese cities in WWII as a shock to relative city sizes. Our results support a hybrid theory in which locational fundamentals establish the spatial pattern of relative regional densities, but increasing returns may help to determine the degree of spatial differentiation. One implication of our results is that even large temporary shocks to urban areas have no long-run impact on city size.
Subject(s):: Economics, Commerce-Business