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Comparing the evolution of spatial inequality in China and India: a fifty-year perspective

Author

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  • Gajwani, Kiran
  • Kanbur, Ravi
  • Zhang, Xiaobo

Abstract

"In the second half of the last century, both India and China have undergone major transitions and have moved to more liberalized economies. This paper relates the observed patterns in regional inequality to major events during this period. Because of China's institutional barriers to migration, regional inequality is much higher than in India. Also, China's decentralization and opening up are closely related to the observed regional inequality – particularly the inland-coastal disparity – since the reform period. From the Green Revolution age to the period of economic liberalization in India, the evolution of regional comparative advantage has shifted from the quality of land to the level of human capital as India integrates with the international market. Therefore, India's states have become clustered into two clubs: more educated and less educated ones." Authors' Abstract

Suggested Citation

  • Gajwani, Kiran & Kanbur, Ravi & Zhang, Xiaobo, 2006. "Comparing the evolution of spatial inequality in China and India: a fifty-year perspective," DSGD discussion papers 44, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:dsgddp:44
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Akramov, Kamiljon T. & Asante, Felix Ankomah, 2008. "Decentralization and local public services in Ghana: Do geography and ethnic diversity matter?," GSSP working papers 16, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Joachim von Braun, 2014. "Urbanization and Decentralization: The changing urban-rural linkages and opportunities of decentralization of services," ERSA conference papers ersa14p841, European Regional Science Association.
    3. repec:esx:essedp:729 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Breinlich, Holger & Ottaviano, Gianmarco I.P. & Temple, Jonathan R.W., 2014. "Regional Growth and Regional Decline," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 2, chapter 4, pages 683-779, Elsevier.
    5. repec:bla:rdevec:v:14:y:2010:i:s1:p:447-465 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Liberalization; Liberalized economies; Regional inequality; Migration; Decentralization; Green Revolution; Economic conditions; International economic relations; Human capital; Spatial inequality;
    All these keywords.

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