Paddy and Prejudice: Evidence on the Agricultural Origins of Prejudice from China and 12 other Asian Societies

An Huang (), Paulo Santos () and Russell Smyth
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An Huang: Monash University
Paulo Santos: Monash University

No 2023-02, Monash Economics Working Papers from Monash University, Department of Economics

Abstract: This paper examines the role of agricultural technology, in the form of paddy rice cultivation, on contemporary levels of prejudice. Using environmental suitability for paddy as an instrumental variable, we find that people living in areas where paddy rice farming has been long practiced exhibit lower prejudice towards outgroup members. This relationship is mediated by greater exposure to markets and trade, itself derived from paddy’s higher land productivity, likely reflecting the opportunities for interpersonal contact created by markets. In contrast, the irrigation needs and high labour demands of paddy galvanize local cooperation, likely fostering prejudice directed to outsiders.

Keywords: paddy rice; prejudice; market; contact hypothesis; group identity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J15 N55 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr, nep-cna, nep-env, nep-evo, nep-lab, nep-sea and nep-tra
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