The Chinese State in Ming Society (Asia's Transformations/Critical Asian Scholarship)

The Ming dynasty (1368-1644), a period of commercial expansion and cultural innovation, fashioned the relationship between state and society in Chinese history. This unique collection of reworked and heavily illustrated essays, by one of the leading scholars of Chinese history, re-examines this relationship. It argues that, contrary to previous scholarship, it was radical responses within society that led to a 'constitution', not periods of fluctuation within the dynasty itself. Brook's outstanding scholarship demonstrates that it was changes in commercial relations and social networks that were actually responsible for the development of a stable society. This imaginative reconsidering of existing scholarship on the history of China will be fascinating reading for scholars and students interested in China's development. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), A Period Of Commercial Expansion And Cultural Innovation, Fashioned The Relationship Between The Present-day State And Society In China. In This Unique Collection Of Reworked And Illustrated Essays, One Of The Leading Scholars Of Chinese History Re-examines This Relationship And Argues That, Contrary To Previous Scholarship, Which Emphasized The Heavy Hand Of The State, It Was Radical Responses Within Society To Changes In Commercial Relations And Social Networks That Led To A Stable But Dynamic Constitution During The Ming Dynasty. This Imaginative Reconsideration Of Existing Scholarship Also Includes Two Essays First Published Here And A Substantial Introduction, And Will Be Fascinating Reading For Scholars And Students Interested In China's Development.--jacket. Part 1. Space -- The Spatial Organization Of Subcounty Administration -- The Gazetteer Cartography Of Ye Chunji -- Part 2. Fields -- Taxing Polders On The Yangzi Delta -- Growing Rice In North Zhili -- Part 3. Books -- Building School Libraries In The Mid-ming -- State Censorship And The Book Trade -- Part 4. Monasteries -- At The Margin Of Public Authority: The Ming State And Buddhism -- Buddhism In The Chinese Constitution: Recording Monasteries In North Zhili. Timothy Brook. Simultaneously Published In The Usa And Canada By Routledgecurzon.--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [191]-242) And Index. Part 1. Surveys The spatial organization of subcounty administration The gazetteer cartography of Ye Chunji Part 2. Fields Taxing polders on the Yangzi Delta Growing rice in North Zhili Part 3. Books Building school libraries in the mid-Ming State censorship and the book trade Part 4. Monasteries At the margin of public authority: the Ming state and Buddhism Buddhism in the Chinese constitution: recording monasteries in North Zhili. This unique collection of reworked and heavily illustrated essays, by one of the leading scholars of Chinese history, re-examines the relationship between the present day state and society in China