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Food availability, food entitlements, and radicalism during the Chinese great leap forward famine: an econometric panel data analysis

Author

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  • Matthieu Clément

    (GREThA, UMR CNRS 5113, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to investigate the socio-economic as well as the political, institutional, and ideological causes of the Chinese famine of 1959–1961. The main hypothesis of this paper is that the radical policies implemented as part of the Great Leap Forward resulted in agricultural output decline (i.e., availability issues), and in the implementation of an ineffective food distribution policy affecting rural populations (i.e., accessibility issues). An econometric analysis, based on provincial panel data from the 1954–1966 period, stresses the effect of ill-advised economic policies in handling the famine. This analysis also confirms that the increase in mortality rates during the famine was caused by the simultaneous collapse in food availability and food accessibility in rural areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthieu Clément, 2012. "Food availability, food entitlements, and radicalism during the Chinese great leap forward famine: an econometric panel data analysis," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 6(1), pages 89-114, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:afc:cliome:v:6:y:2012:i:1:p:89-114
    DOI: 10.1007/s11698-011-0065-4
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Zihan & Kim, Jun Hyung, 2023. "The Inheritance of Historical Trauma: Intergenerational Effects of Early-Life Exposure to Famine on Mental Health," IZA Discussion Papers 16385, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Evan W. Osborne, 2020. "Captive of One's Own Theory: Joan Robinson and Maoist China," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 17(1), pages 191–227-1, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Great leap forward; Famine; Food availability; Entitlements; Dynamic panel data models; Generalized method of moments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N55 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy
    • P21 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Planning, Coordination, and Reform
    • P25 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics
    • P32 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Collectives; Communes; Agricultural Institutions

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