Read on Twitter
. @DoranAine is discussing living standards in Ireland before the Great Famine #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Motivating figure: differences in famine severity between parishes—regional variation, but also important local variation #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Qualitative and quantitative evidence that Ireland had low living standards before the famine and there was high potato dependence. Potatoes were an excellent food source that could be exploited with little land. #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Living standards paradox: Irish people were poor but healthy #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Data source: Royal Commission returns that looked into poverty in Ireland in the 1830s. #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Example page from the source. Most of the responses are from clergy, gentry/justices of the peace #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Respondents stated whether conditions had improved or deteriorated since 1815. No clear pattern when coding for simply deteriorated/improved. #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Substantial variations in wages and cost of living across Ireland #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
18% of parishes had *only* potatoes and water in the daily diet (!) #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Responding parishes are spread out over the country and there are responses from clergy and laity (these are usually similar) #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Total potato dependence was not related to reported *changes* in deterioration #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Worsening conditions before the famine don't show a relationship to population growth #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Next, relationship between reported conditions in the 1830s and Famine severity. No simple relationship between changes in poverty and greater severity. #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Widespread importance of the potato likely meant that areas which were entirely dependent did not have significantly worse Famine experiences. Coastal parishes with fishing opportunities fared very slightly better. #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
Dense areas saw increases in population during the Famine #oxeshgradseminar #econhist #EconTwitter #twitterstorians
