Deciphering the Chinese Economic Miracle: The Resolution of an Age-Old Economists’ Debate — and its Central Role in Rapid Economic Development

Abstract

We offer an account of China’s unparalleled economic rise by considering evidence on public banks and their role in decentralizing the resource allocation task of a growing economy. Chinese economic and banking history since the post-Mao reforms reveals an ingenious integration by the local policymakers of Currency (public money supply) and Banking School (decentralized money creation) policy recommendations previously thought incompatible, resulting in a social democracy with Chinese characteristics. Our theoretical and historical discussions offer policy insights into the constructive role of quantitative public bank easing in economic development.