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Confucianism and war mobilization: evidence from Chinese revolutions

Author

Listed:
  • Yang Cai

    (School of Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China)

  • Sijie Hu

    (School of Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China)

  • Shengmin Sun

    (School of Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China)

Abstract

The Communist Party of China (CPC) achieved a series of military successes in revolutionary wars. Based on new county-level panel datasets from China, this study uses the shocks brought about by a civil and foreign war to test the impact of Confucianism on the war mobilization capacity of the CPC. We find that, during the civil war, Confucianism did not significantly affect CPC’s war mobilization; however, during the foreign war, it significantly improved CPC’s capacity to mobilize people. This demonstrates the differentiated effects of Confucianism by war type through three different mechanisms: “loyalty,” “just war,” and “patriotism.” Our findings shed light on the role of native cultural norms in collective action.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Cai & Sijie Hu & Shengmin Sun, 2024. "Confucianism and war mobilization: evidence from Chinese revolutions," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 18(2), pages 493-529, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:afc:cliome:v:18:y:2024:i:2:p:493-529
    DOI: 10.1007/s11698-023-00273-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elinor Ostrom, 2000. "Collective Action and the Evolution of Social Norms," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(3), pages 137-158, Summer.
    2. Ou, Susan & Xiong, Heyu, 2021. "Mass persuasion and the ideological origins of the Chinese Cultural Revolution," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War
    • N95 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Asia including Middle East
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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