Research

Silk and Gender Equality: Evidence from a Female-Intensive Industry in China (Job Market Paper) Download Full Paper

This paper examines whether sericulture (silk farming), a female-labor-intensive industry, can mitigate son preference intensified by China’s one-child policy. Using quasi-experimental variation from agro-climatic suitability, I combine difference-in-differences with a novel Silk Suitability Index (SSI) as an instrument. I find that in counties naturally suited for sericulture, the share of female births rose by 3.9 percentage points post-policy, and women’s educational attainment significantly improved. These findings suggest that promoting female-centric agricultural sectors can be an effective tool for advancing gender equality in developing economies. 

Salt, Government Monopoly, and Long-Term Economic Development in China (Working Paper) Download Full Paper

This paper studies the long-run effects of the Qing Dynasty's salt monopoly on local economic development. Using county-level data and an instrumental variable strategy based on underground salt-bearing formations, I find that historical monopoly regions show persistently weaker economic outcomes today. The mechanism appears to be reduced entrepreneurship and innovation, rather than declines in elite human capital. Comparative evidence from zinc and iron production underscores the enduring impact of extractive state control beyond mere resource presence.

Soil and the Soul: How Glacial Endowments Shaped Religion in U.S. (Working Paper) Download Full Paper

This paper links prehistoric geology to religious participation in 19th-century America. Pleistocene glaciation created stable agricultural land, reducing risk and weakening demand for religion as social insurance. Using glacial coverage as an IV, I find a 10 pp increase in prime farmland decreases religious participation by 3.4 pp. Effects persist for decades and remain robust when controlling for land values. Heterogeneous effects across denominations validate the social insurance mechanism. Contributes to literatures on religion economics, deep roots, and secularization.