Culture Or Institution: The Dual Nature of Clan Influence in China Pubblico

Abstract

This study reevaluates the influence of clan networks on rural Chinese society by addressing the

dual role of clans as both cultural and institutional entities. Previous research has struggled to

disentangle these aspects, as clans can operate as cultural agents in some contexts and as

institutions in others due to historical Communist intervention and geological differences. By

introducing a series of novel datasets that incorporate measures of red culture and regional

cleavages, this study offers a new perspective on understanding clan influence both

methodologically and substantively. The findings reveal that the positive effect of clan networks is

not robust and unconditional when treated as a form of institution. This study also provides an

example of using this dataset to investigate micro-level norms and beliefs thereby providing

support to macro-level observations. This analysis contributes to the broader literature on Chinese

politics by offering a more differentiated understanding of clans' roles while also speaks to an

emerging literature of revolutionary legacy.

Table of Contents

Contents

1

Introduction

1

2

Background

2

2.1

Clan and Local Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

2.2

Failed Attempts to Replace Clans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

2.3

CCP’s Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9

3

Culture Or Institution

12

4

Data and Empirical Strategy

17

4.1

Measure Red Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

4.2

North vs. South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22

4.3

Clan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24

4.4

Empirical Strategy

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25

5

Results

26

5.1

Socioeconomic Outcomes

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26

5.2

Beliefs and Norms

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31

6

Alternative Measures of Red Culture

36

7

Conclusion

38

A Description of Variables

47

B

Visualization of Historical Processes

48

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Political Science
Degree	M.A.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Political Science, General
Parola chiave	informal institution culture Chinese politics clan
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Renard Sexton, Emory University Adam Glynn, Emory University

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