Traditional family fertility values and performance evaluation of grassroots governments: evidence from the China Family Panel Studies

Throughout the historical process of institutional change, traditional family fertility values (TFFV) have largely persisted and been preserved as an informal institution, maintaining a substantial influence in present times. Building upon reflections on the theory of endogenous institutional change aimed at reducing transaction costs, there’s significant merit in harnessing TFFV to enhance governance efficiency. Drawing on the CFPS data from 2010 to 2018, this study examines the impact of TFFV on the performance evaluation of grassroots governments. Results indicate that TFFV have a more pronounced influence in rural areas compared to urban regions, and significantly affects the evaluation of grassroots government performance. This influence remains uninfluenced by internet and exhibits an inverted U-shaped pattern. Additionally, its influence on the evaluation of government work performance becomes even more noteworthy when TFFV are more emphasized. The reasons for these observations lie in the endogenous characteristics of TFFV, closely tied with traditional political values and affected by clan culture. Given that the endogenous trajectory is difficult to alter and cannot be overlooked, it’s imperative to factor in TFFV when governing rural grassroots. Governance strategies should be tailored depending on the varying influence of traditional values in different regions to optimize governance efficiency.