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Not always a Panacea: History education and identity-building in Taiwan

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  • Hong, Justin Jihao
  • Lyu, Yuhan

Abstract

We study the impact of history curricula on national identity in Taiwan. The high school curriculum reform of September 2006 separates the history of Taiwan from Chinese chronology and increases Taiwan-oriented content to transmit Taiwanese identity. We document an unintended “backlash” that individuals studying the new curriculum are more likely to hold both greater Taiwanese and Chinese identities. Our analysis suggests endogenous changes in information demand as a prominent mechanism: treated high schoolers show greater identity awareness and acquire more information related to both identities. We further observe consistent attitudinal changes, with milder political views and an increase in votes for median candidates or abstention.

Suggested Citation

  • Hong, Justin Jihao & Lyu, Yuhan, 2025. "Not always a Panacea: History education and identity-building in Taiwan," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:229:y:2025:i:c:s0167268124004517
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2024.106837
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cultural transmission; Curriculum; Identity; Nation-building; Persuasion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General
    • P00 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - General - - - General

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