This is not the latest version of this item. The latest version can be found here.
The Economics of Maps
Name
jep.34.1.196.pdf
Description
Published version
Size
1.06 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
ecb1df93565dd9fafbfe9b98e25adf67
Author(s)
Nagaraj, Abhishek
Stern, Scott
Date Issued
2020
Journal
Journal of Economic Perspectives
Publisher
American Economic Association
Version
Final published version
Abstract
For centuries, maps have codified the extent of human geographic knowledge and shaped discovery and economic decision-making. Economists across many fields, including urban economics, public finance, political economy, and economic geography, have long employed maps, yet have largely abstracted away from exploring the economic determinants and consequences of maps as a subject of independent study. In this essay, we first review and unify recent literature in a variety of different fields that highlights the economic and social consequences of maps, along with an overview of the modern geospatial industry. We then outline our economic framework in which a given map is the result of economic choices around map data and designs, resulting in variations in private and social returns to mapmaking. We highlight five important economic and institutional factors shaping mapmakers’ data and design choices. Our essay ends by proposing that economists pay more attention to the endogeneity of mapmaking and the resulting consequences for economic and social welfare.
Terms of Use
Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
10.1257/JEP.34.1.196
