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Internal Conflict, Elite Action, and State Failure: Evidence from China, 1000-1911

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  • Dincecco, Mark
  • Wang, Yuhua

Abstract

This paper analyzes the long-run dynamics of internal conflict, elite action over privately- versus publicly-provided security, and state development outcomes in China. We construct new county-level data that span nearly one millennium. We find that, traditionally, elites turned away from clans and toward the imperial government for safety in times of internal conflict. After the new globalizing Western influence took hold in the mid-1800s, however, threatening the imperial government's viability, we find that elites turned back toward clans for protection, particularly during the Taiping Rebellion. Finally, we find a positive link between renewed clan activity and the eventual failure of the imperial Qing state. Our analysis provides a new perspective on the political origins of the Great Divergence, by which Europe took off economically, but China fell behind.

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  • Dincecco, Mark & Wang, Yuhua, 2018. "Internal Conflict, Elite Action, and State Failure: Evidence from China, 1000-1911," MPRA Paper 87777, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:87777
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. An Huang & Paulo Santos & Russell Smyth, 2023. "Paddy and Prejudice: Evidence on the Agricultural Origins of Prejudice from China and 12 other Asian Societies," Monash Economics Working Papers 2023-02, Monash University, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Violent Conflict; State-Making; Elite Action; Great Divergence; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N45 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Asia including Middle East
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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