Four Essays in Applied Microeconomics

Abstract

Culture -- as defined by the collection of beliefs, norms and preferences shared within social groups -- interacts in complex ways with social and economic outcomes. <br> It, both, shapes the economic and social environment of societies as well as adapts as a consequence to changes in it, such as economic and environmental shocks as well as social policy. In the four independent chapters of this thesis, I explore the complex relationship between culture, the social environment, policies, and economic shocks. I investigate what determines specific aspects of culture, how government policy can enhance potentially desirable cultural traits, how culture adapts to economic shocks and how this, in turn, translates into economic and social outcomes.