Why Doesn't the Kuznets Curve on Income Distribution Hold in Ancient China?

Qichun He and Heng-Fu Zou ()

No 576, CEMA Working Papers from China Economics and Management Academy, Central University of Finance and Economics

Abstract: We find robust evidence that in ancient China that consists of many consecutive dynasties, within each dynasty, the inequality demonstrates a "U" shape (or a "spoon" shape to be more precise). Therefore, as inequality hits an upper bound, war happens and a new dynasty replaces the old one. The cycle repeats itself. A simple explanation has been offered. Policy implications have also been presented.

Keywords: Kuznets Curve; Income inequality; U shape; Ancient China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C21 E65 N95 O11 O43 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 11 pages
Date: 2013-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mac and nep-pbe
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cuf:wpaper:576

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