摘要
Using the adoption and expansion of wired telegraph in China during the late 19^(th) century,this paper investigates the effect of cost reductions for knowledge exchange on China’s industrial growth before the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression(1931-1945),thus testing Baldwin’s theory of“the Great Convergence”in which developing countries are empowered by information and communication technologies.Based on panel data of 1858-1937,we found that wired telegraph access had a significantly positive effect,as well as a long-term growth effect,on the entry of industrial enterprises.Our mechanism analysis indicates that wired telegraph access accelerated early-stage industrialization in localities by encouraging market integration,human capital accumulation,and auxiliary commercial organizations.Only a few countries firmly asserted their telegraph sovereignty and set up their own workforce educational system during telegraph adoption.This explains why the Great Convergence arising from technology importation only occurred in a small number of countries.Our findings contribute to understanding the source of China’s modern industrial progress,as well as why global inequities remain.
基金
supported by the General Project of the National Social Science Fund of China(Grant No.NSSFC)“Research on the Changes of Modern East Asian Order”(Grant No.18BSS028).
