Values of China: Toward a Cultural Map 

Abstract

This paper constructs a cultural map of China by analyzing nearly 20,000 folktales collected in the 1980s, shedding light on how cultural traits shape economic outcomes. Using BERT-based embeddings and large language model (LLM) thematic classification, the study quantifies themes—such as trust, honesty, and effort—embedded in these oral traditions. It then links these historical narratives to contemporary attitudes and beliefs, as measured by the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), thus connecting longstanding cultural values to modern social and economic behaviors. The findings show that values like honesty and effort are positively associated with GDP per capita, while clan-based narratives correlate negatively. These results highlight the enduring impact of cultural traits on economic performance in present-day China. Moreover, the paper’s approach offers a replicable framework for analyzing how cultural narratives influence development, with implications for China and other regions possessing rich historical narratives.

Keywords: Culture, History, Growth, China