The long-term effects of Protestant activities in China

Yuyu Chen, Hui Wang and Se Yan

Journal of Comparative Economics, 2022, vol. 50, issue 2, 394-414

Abstract: Combining China's county-level data on Protestant density before 1920 and socioeconomic indicators in 2000, we find persistent positive effects of historical missionary activities on contemporary growth. Using disaster frequency as an instrument for Protestant distribution, we find stronger IV results. We further find that although improvements in education and health care account for a sizable portion of the total effects, other channels such as transformed social values may also matter. Our findings acknowledge the pioneering effects of missionary work in China's modernization, and imply that China's recent growth may benefit from of human capital and social values acquired in history.

Keywords: Chinese economy; Protestant activities; Economic growth; Education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I25 N15 N35 O11 O43 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Working Paper: The Long-Term Effects of Protestant Activities in China (2014)
Working Paper: The Long-Term Effects of Protestant Activities in China (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:50:y:2022:i:2:p:394-414

DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2021.12.002

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