Social Interactions and Intergenerational Mobility

The degree to which economic and social outcomes is passed along generations is key to understanding differences in inequality across societies and over time. This project investigates the role of social network on intergenerational mobility in Victorian London. Using geo-referenced historical maps of London, we can geographically locate individuals. We will use ecclesiastical parish boundaries along with Board of Works and Vestry boundaries as measures of social network and institutions. Individuals belonging to the same parish and the geographically distance between them will be a proxy for social group and the strength of their ties respectively. The goal of this project is twofolds. First, we aim to uncover spatial clustering in intergenerational occupation mobility across parishes in nineteenth century London. Second, we plan to determine the relative importance of social networks in shaping occupational intergenerational mobility. Specifically, we examine the role played by one’s peers within a social network above and beyond the role played by family members and neighbours. This will shed light on how otherwise homogeneous societies may differ substantially due to the composition of their community.