Rafael González-val | University of Zaragoza (original) (raw)
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Papers by Rafael González-val
European Review of Economic History, 2015
In this study, parametric and nonparametric techniques are employed to analyze the effect of chan... more In this study, parametric and nonparametric techniques are employed to analyze the effect of changes in regional market potential on the growth of Spanish regions during the period 1860–1930. The study of Spain sheds light on whether the construction of new transport infrastructures coupled with changes in trade policy ultimately shaped regional growth trajectories. The study draws upon new evidence of per capita gross domestic product for Spanish provinces and combines this evidence with Harris' market-potential function to measure regional market potential. Results show that market potential had a positive influence on regional economic growth, particularly between 1900 and 1930.
... exponential functions Rafael González-Val a Arturo Ramos-Gutiérrez b Fernando Sanz-Gracia b a... more ... exponential functions Rafael González-Val a Arturo Ramos-Gutiérrez b Fernando Sanz-Gracia b a Departamento de Economía Política y Hacienda Pública.Universitat de Barcelona & Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB). Facultat d'Economia i Empresa. Av. ...
This paper analyses the evolution of city size distribution in the United States throughout the t... more This paper analyses the evolution of city size distribution in the United States throughout the twentieth century. It tests the validity of two empirical regularities studied in urban economics: Zipf’s law (the rank-size rule), and Gibrat’s law or the law of proportionate growth. The main contribution of this work is the use of a new database with information on all
This paper analyses the determinants of growth of American cities, understood as growth of the po... more This paper analyses the determinants of growth of American cities, understood as growth of the population or of per capita income, from 1990 to 2000. This empirical analysis uses data from all cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants in the year 2000 (1154 cities). The results show that while a common convergence behaviour is observed in both population and per
This paper presents a simple method for calculating deviations between actual city size and the s... more This paper presents a simple method for calculating deviations between actual city size and the size which would correspond to it with a Pareto exponent equal to one (Zipf's law). The results show two differentiated behaviours: most cities (80.25 per cent) present a greater size than that which would fulfil Zipf's law, while small cities (19.75 per cent) tend to
In this paper we apply the methodology proposed by Ioannides and Overman (2003) to estimate a loc... more In this paper we apply the methodology proposed by Ioannides and Overman (2003) to estimate a local Zipf exponent using data for the entire twentieth century of the complete distribution of cities (incorporated places) without any size restrictions in the US. First, we run kernel regressions using the Nadaraya–Watson estimator, excluding some atypical observations (5.66% of the sample). The results
This paper reconsiders the evolution of the growth of American cities since 1790 in light of new ... more This paper reconsiders the evolution of the growth of American cities since 1790 in light of new theories of urban growth. Our null hypothesis for long-term growth is random growth. We obtain evidence supporting random growth against the alternative of mean reversion (convergence) in city sizes using panel unit root tests. We also examine mobility within the distribution to try
This paper explores the frequency of permanent shocks in divorce rates for 16 European countries ... more This paper explores the frequency of permanent shocks in divorce rates for 16 European countries during the period 1930 to 2006. We examine whether the divorce rate is a stationary series, exhibits a unit root, or is stationary around a process subject to structural breaks. A clear finding from this analysis is that not all shocks have transitory effects on
In this paper we present a model integrating characteristics of the New Economic Geography, the t... more In this paper we present a model integrating characteristics of the New Economic Geography, the theory of endogenous growth and the economy of natural resources. This theoretical framework enables us to study explicitly the effect of “first nature causes” in the concentration of economic activity, more specifically, the consequences of an asymmetrical distribution of natural resources. The natural resource we
In this paper, we develop a new theoretical model that explains the forest transition not at a lo... more In this paper, we develop a new theoretical model that explains the forest transition not at a local, but at a worldwide level, in a trade liberalisation scenario. Our model has economic geography foundations: transport costs affect the distribution of firms between countries. We also introduce a renewable natural resource used as an input by manufacturing firms. The results reproduce
The aim of this work is to test empirically the validity of Gibrat’s Law in the growth of cities,... more The aim of this work is to test empirically the validity of Gibrat’s Law in the growth of cities, using data on the complete distribution of cities (without size restrictions or a truncation point) in three countries (the US, Spain and Italy) for the entire 20th century. For this we use different techniques. First, panel data unit root tests tend
This paper analyzes the evolution of the size distribution of the stock of immigrants in the peri... more This paper analyzes the evolution of the size distribution of the stock of immigrants in the period 1960–2000. In particular, we are interested in testing the validity of two empirical regularities: Zipf’s law, which postulates that the product between the rank and size of a population is constant; and Gibrat’s law, according to which the growth rate of a variable
Spatial Economic Analysis, 2015
A re-assessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. ... more A re-assessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. In addition, how similarly population is distributed in cities and countries is analyzed from a temporal perspective. Although evidence of Gibrat's Law is found, it is weaker than that previously established in Rose (2006). This is due to the methodology applied and is
A re-assessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. ... more A re-assessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. In addition, how similarly population is distributed in cities and countries is analyzed from a temporal perspective. Although evidence of Gibrat's Law is found, it is weaker than that previously established in Rose (2006). This is due to the methodology applied and is
The Annals of Regional Science, 2011
This paper analyses the evolution of the size distribution of the stock of emigrants in the perio... more This paper analyses the evolution of the size distribution of the stock of emigrants in the period 1960-2000. Has the distribution of the stock of emigrants changed or has there been some convergence? This is the question discussed in this work. In particular, we are interested in testing the fulfillment of two empirical regularities studied in urban economics: Zipf's law, which postulates that the product between the rank and size of a population is constant;
Journal of Regional Science, 2010
ABSTRACT. This paper analyses the evolution of city size distribution in the United States throug... more ABSTRACT. This paper analyses the evolution of city size distribution in the United States through-out the twentieth century. It tests the validity of two empirical regularities studied in urban economics: Zipf's law (the rank-size rule), and Gibrat's law, or the law of proportionate ...
Journal of Population Economics, 2010
Abstract A reassessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in thi... more Abstract A reassessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. In addition, how similarly population is distributed in cities and countries is analyzed from a temporal perspective. Although evidence of Gibrat's Law is found, it is weaker than that ...
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2012
JEL classification: C12 C22 J12 J18 K36
Economic Modelling, 2009
a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o JEL classification: F15 F43 H54 R12
European Review of Economic History, 2015
In this study, parametric and nonparametric techniques are employed to analyze the effect of chan... more In this study, parametric and nonparametric techniques are employed to analyze the effect of changes in regional market potential on the growth of Spanish regions during the period 1860–1930. The study of Spain sheds light on whether the construction of new transport infrastructures coupled with changes in trade policy ultimately shaped regional growth trajectories. The study draws upon new evidence of per capita gross domestic product for Spanish provinces and combines this evidence with Harris' market-potential function to measure regional market potential. Results show that market potential had a positive influence on regional economic growth, particularly between 1900 and 1930.
... exponential functions Rafael González-Val a Arturo Ramos-Gutiérrez b Fernando Sanz-Gracia b a... more ... exponential functions Rafael González-Val a Arturo Ramos-Gutiérrez b Fernando Sanz-Gracia b a Departamento de Economía Política y Hacienda Pública.Universitat de Barcelona & Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB). Facultat d'Economia i Empresa. Av. ...
This paper analyses the evolution of city size distribution in the United States throughout the t... more This paper analyses the evolution of city size distribution in the United States throughout the twentieth century. It tests the validity of two empirical regularities studied in urban economics: Zipf’s law (the rank-size rule), and Gibrat’s law or the law of proportionate growth. The main contribution of this work is the use of a new database with information on all
This paper analyses the determinants of growth of American cities, understood as growth of the po... more This paper analyses the determinants of growth of American cities, understood as growth of the population or of per capita income, from 1990 to 2000. This empirical analysis uses data from all cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants in the year 2000 (1154 cities). The results show that while a common convergence behaviour is observed in both population and per
This paper presents a simple method for calculating deviations between actual city size and the s... more This paper presents a simple method for calculating deviations between actual city size and the size which would correspond to it with a Pareto exponent equal to one (Zipf's law). The results show two differentiated behaviours: most cities (80.25 per cent) present a greater size than that which would fulfil Zipf's law, while small cities (19.75 per cent) tend to
In this paper we apply the methodology proposed by Ioannides and Overman (2003) to estimate a loc... more In this paper we apply the methodology proposed by Ioannides and Overman (2003) to estimate a local Zipf exponent using data for the entire twentieth century of the complete distribution of cities (incorporated places) without any size restrictions in the US. First, we run kernel regressions using the Nadaraya–Watson estimator, excluding some atypical observations (5.66% of the sample). The results
This paper reconsiders the evolution of the growth of American cities since 1790 in light of new ... more This paper reconsiders the evolution of the growth of American cities since 1790 in light of new theories of urban growth. Our null hypothesis for long-term growth is random growth. We obtain evidence supporting random growth against the alternative of mean reversion (convergence) in city sizes using panel unit root tests. We also examine mobility within the distribution to try
This paper explores the frequency of permanent shocks in divorce rates for 16 European countries ... more This paper explores the frequency of permanent shocks in divorce rates for 16 European countries during the period 1930 to 2006. We examine whether the divorce rate is a stationary series, exhibits a unit root, or is stationary around a process subject to structural breaks. A clear finding from this analysis is that not all shocks have transitory effects on
In this paper we present a model integrating characteristics of the New Economic Geography, the t... more In this paper we present a model integrating characteristics of the New Economic Geography, the theory of endogenous growth and the economy of natural resources. This theoretical framework enables us to study explicitly the effect of “first nature causes” in the concentration of economic activity, more specifically, the consequences of an asymmetrical distribution of natural resources. The natural resource we
In this paper, we develop a new theoretical model that explains the forest transition not at a lo... more In this paper, we develop a new theoretical model that explains the forest transition not at a local, but at a worldwide level, in a trade liberalisation scenario. Our model has economic geography foundations: transport costs affect the distribution of firms between countries. We also introduce a renewable natural resource used as an input by manufacturing firms. The results reproduce
The aim of this work is to test empirically the validity of Gibrat’s Law in the growth of cities,... more The aim of this work is to test empirically the validity of Gibrat’s Law in the growth of cities, using data on the complete distribution of cities (without size restrictions or a truncation point) in three countries (the US, Spain and Italy) for the entire 20th century. For this we use different techniques. First, panel data unit root tests tend
This paper analyzes the evolution of the size distribution of the stock of immigrants in the peri... more This paper analyzes the evolution of the size distribution of the stock of immigrants in the period 1960–2000. In particular, we are interested in testing the validity of two empirical regularities: Zipf’s law, which postulates that the product between the rank and size of a population is constant; and Gibrat’s law, according to which the growth rate of a variable
Spatial Economic Analysis, 2015
A re-assessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. ... more A re-assessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. In addition, how similarly population is distributed in cities and countries is analyzed from a temporal perspective. Although evidence of Gibrat's Law is found, it is weaker than that previously established in Rose (2006). This is due to the methodology applied and is
A re-assessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. ... more A re-assessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. In addition, how similarly population is distributed in cities and countries is analyzed from a temporal perspective. Although evidence of Gibrat's Law is found, it is weaker than that previously established in Rose (2006). This is due to the methodology applied and is
The Annals of Regional Science, 2011
This paper analyses the evolution of the size distribution of the stock of emigrants in the perio... more This paper analyses the evolution of the size distribution of the stock of emigrants in the period 1960-2000. Has the distribution of the stock of emigrants changed or has there been some convergence? This is the question discussed in this work. In particular, we are interested in testing the fulfillment of two empirical regularities studied in urban economics: Zipf's law, which postulates that the product between the rank and size of a population is constant;
Journal of Regional Science, 2010
ABSTRACT. This paper analyses the evolution of city size distribution in the United States throug... more ABSTRACT. This paper analyses the evolution of city size distribution in the United States through-out the twentieth century. It tests the validity of two empirical regularities studied in urban economics: Zipf's law (the rank-size rule), and Gibrat's law, or the law of proportionate ...
Journal of Population Economics, 2010
Abstract A reassessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in thi... more Abstract A reassessment of Gibrat's Law in the context of country size is carried out in this paper. In addition, how similarly population is distributed in cities and countries is analyzed from a temporal perspective. Although evidence of Gibrat's Law is found, it is weaker than that ...
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2012
JEL classification: C12 C22 J12 J18 K36
Economic Modelling, 2009
a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o JEL classification: F15 F43 H54 R12