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From One to Many Central Plans: Drug Advertising Inspections and Intra-National Protectionism in China

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  • Markus Eberhardt
  • Zheng Wang
  • Zhihong Yu

Abstract

This paper provides the first micro-level evidence for the existence and patterns of intra-national protectionism in China. We demonstrate that drug advertising inspections are used by provincial governments to discriminate against firms from outside the province. We further reveal how the degree of discrimination could be mitigated for nonlocal firms under certain circumstances: those from neighbouring areas, those without political ties to rival provincial governments, those from regions with more economic links to the destination province, and those from provinces with stronger presence in the market, are less likely to be targeted. Our findings highlight the unique politico-economic structure in China and confirm that giving local governments strong incentives to compete with each other may exacerbate the market distortions inherent in a partially reformed economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Eberhardt & Zheng Wang & Zhihong Yu, 2015. "From One to Many Central Plans: Drug Advertising Inspections and Intra-National Protectionism in China," Discussion Papers 2015-07, University of Nottingham, GEP.
  • Handle: RePEc:not:notgep:15/07
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    4. Ding, Chengri & Niu, Yi, 2019. "Market size, competition, and firm productivity for manufacturing in China," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 81-98.
    5. Zheng Li & Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, 2018. "Fiscal Decentralization and Interregional Capital Misallocation: Evidence from China," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper1816, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intra-national protectionism; Drug advertising; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights

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