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The Sinuous Dragon: Economic Freedom and Economic Growth in China

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua Hall

    (West Virginia University, Department of Economics)

  • Yang Zhou

    (West Virginia University, Department of Economics)

Abstract

With sinuous reforms and economic openness over the last four decades, China has enjoyed substantial economic development. Though still a developing country, its GDP per capita has grown over 10% annually, from $183(US) in 1977 to $7,590 (US) in 2014. This miracle in economic growth is attributed by some to a series of pro-market policies and reforms. Although the general trend is greater economic freedom, China has experienced brief periods of decreasing or stagnant economic freedom that correspond with slowdowns in the growth rate. In this paper we trace these changes in economic freedom in China and discuss prospects for future improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Hall & Yang Zhou, 2017. "The Sinuous Dragon: Economic Freedom and Economic Growth in China," Working Papers 17-12, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
  • Handle: RePEc:wvu:wpaper:17-12
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    File URL: http://busecon.wvu.edu/phd_economics/pdf/17-12.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

    China; economic freedom; economic growth;
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