In 1991 the EEA created a medal to be awarded once every two years (even years) to the author(s) of an outstanding article published in the Association’s Journal during the two preceding years. Until the end of 2002 this journal was the European Economic Review(EER). From January 2003 the article is chosen from the Journal of the European Economics Association (JEEA). It has been named the Hicks-Tinbergen medal to make it clear that the EEA stands for both theoretical and empirical work in economics in Europe . It was awarded for the first time in 1992 at the Dublin Congress. Members views will be solicited.

The 2012 Award Winner

The selection committee has awarded the Hicks-Tinbergen medal 2012 to Guido Tabellini for his article "Culture and Institutions: Economic Development in the Regions of Europe" (published in JEEA Volume 8 Issue 4). The study provides convincing evidence based on data of European regions that culture has a causal effect on economic development. The identification relies on two historical variables, literacy rate and past political institutions. The author finds that the exogenous component of culture is more strongly correlated with current development than is the overall measure of culture. In other words, the causal effect of culture on development is both large and stronger than the contemporaneous correlation between the two variables would suggest.

The committee also finds worth mentioning the excellent article "Matching in Informal Financial Institutions" by Jan Eeckhout and Kaivan Munshi (published in JEEA Volume 8 Issue 5).

The EEA warmly congratulates the winner.

Guido was presented with his award before the EEA Presidential Address during the annual EEA Congress held in Màlaga, Spain.

Hicks-Tinbergen Award Committee 2012 – Fabrizio Zilibotti (Chair), pictured with Guido in photo, Orazio Attanasio and Christopher Pissarides

Please click here for past recipients