The Economic Consequences of Political Hierarchy: Evidence from Regime Changes in China, 1000-2000 CE

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Bai, Ying; Jia, Ruixue
• 署名单位: Chinese University of Hong Kong; University of California System; University of California San Diego; University of London; London School Economics & Political Science
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01058
• 发表日期: 2023-05
• 页码: 626-645
• 关键词: capital cities; HISTORY; TRADE; merchants; matters; Europe; size

摘要

We study how political hierarchy shapes regional development in China, using variations driven by regime changes during the 1000-2000 C.E. period. We find that changes in the status of the provincial capital led to the rise and decline of different prefectures as measured by population and urbanization. Two other novel findings stand out: (1) the economic advantages of the provincial capitals did not persist if they lost their political status, and (2) political hierarchy shaped economic development not only through public employment but also through the development of important infrastructure, such as transportation networks. Our findings highlight the importance of politics in determining the locations of economic activities.