nep-cul New Economics Papers
on Cultural Economics
Issue of 2010‒05‒15
two papers chosen by
Roberto Zanola
University of the Piemonte Orientale

  1. World Heritage List: does it make sense? By Bruno S. Frey; Lasse Steiner
  2. The economic value of virtue By Fabio MARIANI

  1. By: Bruno S. Frey; Lasse Steiner
    Abstract: The UNESCO World Heritage List contains the 900 most treasured Sites of humanity’s culture and landscapes. The World Heritage List is beneficial where heritage sites are undetected, disregarded by national decision-makers, not commercially exploitable, and where national financial resources, political control and technical knowledge for conservation are inadequate. Alternatives such as the market and reliance on national conservation list are more beneficial where the cultural and natural sites are already popular, markets work well, and where inclusion in the List does not raise the destruction potential by excessive tourism, and in times of war or by terrorists.
    Keywords: Global public good, world heritage, cultural certificates, monuments, UNESCO
    JEL: Z11 D6 F5 H87
    Date: 2010–04
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zur:iewwpx:484&r=cul
  2. By: Fabio MARIANI (UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES), Paris School of Economics and IZA, Bonn)
    Abstract: Virtue is modelled as an asset that women can use in the marriage market: since men value virginity in prospective mates, preserving her virtue increases a womanÕs chances of marrying a high-status husband, and therefore allows for upward social mobility. Consistent with some historical and anthropological evidence, we find that the prevalence (and the value) of virginity, across societies and overtime, can be influenced by socio-economic factors such as male income inequality, gender differences, social status and stratification, and overall economic development.
    Keywords: Mating;Marriage;Culturalvalues;Socialclasses;Gender
    JEL: D1 J12 Z13
    Date: 2010–03–31
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ctl:louvir:2010012&r=cul

This nep-cul issue is ©2010 by Roberto Zanola. It is provided as is without any express or implied warranty. It may be freely redistributed in whole or in part for any purpose. If distributed in part, please include this notice.
General information on the NEP project can be found at http://nep.repec.org. For comments please write to the director of NEP, Marco Novarese at <director@nep.repec.org>. Put “NEP” in the subject, otherwise your mail may be rejected.
NEP’s infrastructure is sponsored by the School of Economics and Finance of Massey University in New Zealand.