Although political and legal institutions are essential to any nation's economic development, the forces that have shaped these institutions are poorly understood. Drawing on rich evidence about the development of the American states from the mid-nineteenth to the late twentieth century, this book documents the mechanisms through which geographical and historical conditions--such as climate, access to water transportation, and early legal systems--impacted political and judicial institutions and economic growth.

The book shows how a state's geography and climate influenced...

Comedy is cool again. Perhaps cooler than it's ever been. Yet in traditional media, coverage of the stand-up world still tends to get lumped in with that of music. Why is it that unlike music, film, literature, theater, architecture, or television, the public perception of comedy remains that of mere good-timey, alcohol-enhanced, interactive sideshow as opposed to legitimate art form? In print and online, there are knowledgeable, unbiased, professional writers debating and deconstructing everything from sports and fashion to food and video games. Where are the great comedy critics?...