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Volatility and Economic Systems: Evidence from A Large Transitional Economy

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  • Wang, Boqun
  • Yang, Dennis Tao

Abstract

This is the �rst paper to study the role played by economic transition in reducing output volatility. A dramatic decline in aggregate output volatility in China from central planning to market-oriented reforms in the past half century is documented in this paper. The output volatility measured by the standard deviation of real gross domestic product (GDP) growth over the speci�ed rolling windows declined by 73% from 1953-�1977 to 1978�-2008. The sharpest reduction occurred in 1978 when China began to initiate a series of market reforms. Since the inception of these reforms, the volatility continued to decline, dropping more than 30% from 1978-�1994 to 1995�-2008. During the planning period, the co-movements in the provincial output, which re�flected the systemic risks associated with the highly centralized economic and political systems in China, were found to be the primary source of the high output volatility.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Boqun & Yang, Dennis Tao, 2021. "Volatility and Economic Systems: Evidence from A Large Transitional Economy," MPRA Paper 106624, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:106624
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    Cited by:

    1. Da Zhao & Jingyuan Guo & Hong Zou & Ze Song, 2022. "From Price to Gain: The Evolution of Household Income Volatility and Consumption Insurance in Urban China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 30(6), pages 113-136, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Output Volatility Moderation; Transitional Economy; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • J00 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - General
    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General

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