This content explores the prevalence of nepotism and inherited human capital in academia from 1088 to 1800. It highlights how nepotism allowed less qualified individuals to secure academic positions based on familial ties, impacting knowledge formation. The study reveals that nepotism declined during periods of rapid scientific advancement and discusses the importance of disentangling nepotism from human capital transfers. By analyzing direct parent-child links in academia, the research provides insights into how nepotism evolved over centuries and its impact on productivity. The findings suggest that low levels of nepotism were associated with periods of scientific progress, emphasizing the role of meritocracy in Europe’s scientific advancements.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10887-024-09244-0#auth-David_de_la-Croix-Aff1