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Enforcing government policies: The role of state-owned enterprise in China’s one child policy

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  • Cheng, Hua
  • Ma, Yuanyuan
  • Qi, Shusen
  • Xu, Lixin Colin

Abstract

State-owned enterprises can function as an instrument to enforce government policies. Using data from the China General Social Survey, we evaluate the role and effectiveness of state-owned enterprises in enforcing the one child policy and affecting people’s fertility decisions. The estimates show that the one child policy in China significantly reduced people’s fertility for those working in state-owned enterprises than in non-state-owned firms. The findings are not driven by different fertility desires or other confounding events such as the opening-up policy. Such insights have valuable implications for the enforcement of population policies around the globe.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Hua & Ma, Yuanyuan & Qi, Shusen & Xu, Lixin Colin, 2021. "Enforcing government policies: The role of state-owned enterprise in China’s one child policy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:146:y:2021:i:c:s0305750x21001893
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105574
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    State-owned enterprise; Fertility; One child policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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