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“Involution” or Seasonality: A New Perspective on the 19-20th Century Chinese Agricultural Development

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  • Ma, Debin
  • Peng, Kaixiang

Abstract

Chinaʼs（or East Asian）highly crop-based agriculture generates high seasonality in demand for labor across the year, leading to the rise of agricultural and handicraft side-employment. In contrast to the “involution” thesis which posits a Malthusian trap with diminishing return in Chinese agriculture dictated by deteriorating land-labor ratio, this paper presents stylized empirical facts from 19-20th century Chinese（and Japanese）agriculture and theoretical models to demonstrate that this labor relocation across the seasons contributes to a Boserupian type of growth. It leads to rising commercialization and population density, but not necessarily urbanization, rising productivity and structural change. Ultimately, industrialization and the expansion of markets that occurred outside agriculture pulled China（or Japan）out of the “involution” to embark on modernization.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Debin & Peng, Kaixiang, 2021. "“Involution” or Seasonality: A New Perspective on the 19-20th Century Chinese Agricultural Development," Economic Review, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 72(4), pages 334-348, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:hit:ecorev:v:72:y:2021:i:4:p:334-348
    DOI: 10.15057/72486
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benjamin, Dwayne & Brandt, Loren, 1995. "Markets, Discrimination, and the Economic Contribution of Women in China: Historical Evidence," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 44(1), pages 63-104, October.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N55 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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