Military Service and Human Capital Accumulation: Evidence from Colonial Punjab

Abstract

This paper estimates the impact of military recruitment during World War 1 on human capital accumulation in colonial Punjab. The empirical strategy exploits the exogenous increase in recruitment by the Indian Army during the war. Higher military recruitment is found to be associated with increased literacy at the district-religion level. However, military recruitment grounds did not attract higher investment in public education. Rather, the observed improvement in the human capital stock appears to be driven by the informal acquisition of literacy skills by serving soldiers. While the historical setting of World War 1 is unique, this paper is one of the rst papers to provide empirical evidence on the economic eects of military service in a developing country context.

Military Service and Health Outcomes of the Elderly in China

“…The mechanism analysis enriched previous related studies (e.g., Landes et al, 2017;McKinney et al, 1997;Williamson et al, 2019). Moreover, the results support the finding that military service promoted human capital (e.g., Eynde, 2015;Hou et al, 2020;Lindqvist & Vestman, 2011;MacLean, 2017), while we found that some social security measures were ineffective in improving the health status of older veterans. These findings helped us understand the urgency of improving social security systems for veterans in developing countries like China.…”

“…In addition, some evidence suggested that military service in the United States during the Vietnam era had a positive impact on individual education, since GI Bill schooling benefits helped eligible veterans pay for college, graduate school, and training programs (Angrist & Chen, 2011; Bound & Turner, 2002). Also, the military could provide low-cost educational opportunities, training programs, and an atmosphere conducive to learning (Eynde, 2015; Gade et al, 1991; Routon, 2014), which subsequently improves the cognitive abilities of soldiers (Eynde, 2015; Hou et al, 2020; L. Wang et al, 2012).…”

“…On one hand, due to strict screening of physical conditions before joining the army, veterans may be healthier than civilians, which is called the “healthy soldier effect” (McLaughlin et al, 2008). On the other hand, the advantages of veterans are also reflected in enjoying better social welfare and medical resources (Angrist, 1998; Davies et al, 2015; Oh & Berry, 2021; Waller & McGuire, 2011), having more competitive military skills (Johansen et al, 2014; Lindqvist & Vestman, 2011; MacLean, 2017), improving personal qualities and abilities (Angrist & Chen, 2011; Brown & Routon, 2016; Eynde, 2015; L. Wang et al, 2012), obtaining higher socioeconomic status (e.g., Angrist & Krueger, 1994; Bachman et al, 2000; Brown & Routon, 2016; MacLean & Kleykamp, 2021; Sheehan & Hayward, 2019; Smith et al, 2012), and accumulating political resources (Diamant, 2008; Hou et al, 2020; Wakenhut, 1979; Wu & Treiman, 2004).…”