Noel D. Johnson

- Senior Research Fellow, Associate Professor of Economics, George Mason University
Noel Johnson is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center and an associate professor of economics at George Mason University. His research focuses on the historical origins of modern economic growth. He is interested in how current political and cultural institutions have evolved and whether they impede or facilitate economic success.
Dr. Johnson went to graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis.
For a current list of publications, view Noel's personal website .
Publications & Appearances
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
The Economic Impact of the Black Death
The Black Death was the largest demographic shock in European history. We review the evidence for the origins, spread, and
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
Medieval Cities through the Lens of Urban Economic Theory
We draw on theories and empirical findings from urban economics to explore and explain patterns of city growth in the Middle
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Book Chapters Book Chapters
The State, Toleration, and Religious Freedom
This chapter offers a novel account of the rise of religious freedom. Religious and political power have been bound together
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
Negative shocks and mass persecutions
We study the Black Death pogroms to shed light on the factors determining when a minority group will face persecution. Negative
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Hayek Program Podcast Hayek Program Podcast
Mark Koyama and Noel Johnson on 'Persecution and Toleration'
Most liberal, Western citizens don't have significant worries nowadays about religious persecution in their own countries, but…
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Books Books
Persecution and Toleration
Book DescriptionReligious freedom has become an emblematic value in the West. Embedded in constitutions and championed by

- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
States and Economic Growth
State capacity has become one of the most discussed concepts in development economics and political economy. In this survey we
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Journal Articles Journal Articles
Jewish Persecutions and Weather Shocks
What factors caused the persecution of minorities in pre-modern Europe? Using panel data consisting of 1,366 persecutions of
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Negative Shocks and Mass Persecutions
In this paper we study the Black Death persecutions (1347-1352) against Jews in order to shed light on the factors determining
- | F.A. Hayek Program F.A. Hayek Program
- | Working Papers Working Papers
Bones, Bacteria and Break Points
The Black Death may have permanently affected the spatial distribution and aggregate level of economic activity, potentially contributing to long-run growth in Europe.
