ABSTRACT
We analyze ownership and location of cultural goods, modelled as public goods. We show that cross spillovers can give a rationale for removing one part of the cultural good to lower valuation host country under their ownership. We examine when restitution is optimal and what form it should take, ie whether restitution should be definite or take the form of a loan. We apply our analysis to the debate on the Parthenon sculptures, the restitution of the Icelandic manuscripts and the proposed loan or restitution of the Benin bronzes.
Halonen-Akatwijuka, Maija and Pafilis, Evagelos, Who Should Own the Past?. Posted to SSRN 10 September 2024.
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