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Millet, Rice, and Isolation: Origins and Persistence of the World's Most Enduring Mega-State

Author

Listed:
  • James Kai-sing Kung

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Ömer Özak

    (Southern Methodist University)

  • Louis Putterman

    (Brown University)

  • Shuang Shi

    (The University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

We empirically test a theory of endogenous formation and persistence of mega-states, using China as an example. We constructed a novel dataset to explore the relationship between the diffusion of agriculture, migratory distance, and social complexity-cum-historical presence of Chinese states across 1 degree x 1 degree grid cells in eastern Asia. We find that cells that adopted agriculture earlier and were close to Erlitou -- the earliest political center in eastern Asia -- remained under Chinese control for longer and continue to be a part of China today. Conversely, early adopters located farther away had enough time to develop into independent states.

Suggested Citation

  • James Kai-sing Kung & Ömer Özak & Louis Putterman & Shuang Shi, 2020. "Millet, Rice, and Isolation: Origins and Persistence of the World's Most Enduring Mega-State," Departmental Working Papers 2202, Southern Methodist University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:smu:ecowpa:2202
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Ting & Kung, James Kai-sing, 2022. "War shocks, migration, and historical spatial development in China," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Comparative Development; State-Building; State formation; Emergence of States; Agricultural Adoption; Agriculture; Isolation; Neolithic Revolution; Social Complexity; Stickiness to China; East Asia; China; Erlitou;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F50 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - General
    • F59 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - Other
    • H70 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - General
    • H79 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Other
    • N90 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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