The History of Ancient Chinese Economic Thought (Routledge Studies in the History of Economics)

This volume comprises twelve papers written by Chinese scholars on various aspects of the history of ancient Chinese economic thought. The contributions are preceded by an introduction which gives an overview of the development of the subject of history of economic thought in China, and which also provides an historical context to the individuals who constitute the major "schools" of ancient Chinese economic thought. The authors of the papers are leading scholars who have dominated this research area since the founding of New China in 1949, while the broad range of topics covered by the contributions includes questions of methodology, detailed and sometimes controversial interpretations of texts and "schools", and the international influence and modern relevance of ancient Chinese thought. A recurrent theme is that ancient Chinese thought has at least as much to offer to the historian as ancient Western thought. As the first such volume of papers to be translated into English, this collection provides a unique opportunity for non-Chinese readers to sample the way in which Chinese historians of economics have attempted to understand their own intellectual heritage. This book will be relevant to scholars interested in the history of economic thought, economic history and Chinese studies. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 14 Copyright Page 15 Table of Contents 16 List of contributors 18 Analytical table of contents 21 Acknowledgements 26 Chronology 27 Editorial note 28 Introduction 30 1 Considerations on the research methodology of the history of Chinese economic thought 61 2 On the major fields and significance of the study of the history of ancient Chinese economic thought 75 3 Fu Guo Xue and the “economics” of ancient China 95 4 The Chinese origin of Physiocratic economics 111 5 On Guanzi Qing Zhong 127 6 A comparison between Confucian and Daoist economic philosophies in the pre-Qin era 135 7 The start of family economics of Chinese feudal landowners: on Jia Sixie’s Important Arts for People’s Welfare 169 8 Confucian thought on the free economy 182 9 Etymological studies of “Chinese economics” 195 10 The theory of division of labour in Chinese history 210 11 Harmony of Diversity and Great Uniformity: two trains of thought in the economics of ancient China 223 12 The influence of ancient Chinese thought on the Ever-Normal Granary of Henry A. Wallace and the Agricultural Adjustment Act in the New Deal 239 Index 254 Opening with an introduction that sets the chapters in context for Western readership, the contributors cover such key issues as research methodology at the founding stage of the discipline, the significance of Chinese economic thought in a wider context, including the relationship between ancient Chinese economic thought and Western thought, and key strands of thought, such as Confucian and Taoist economic philosophies. The book also pinpoints ways in which ancient Chinese thinkers paved the way for later western economists, such as in their discussion of theories of the division of labour. The volume makes clear the integral role played by Chinese economic thought in the history of international economic thought, considers the challenges that are likely to be faced in future research, and suggests lessons that can be taken from ancient Chinese thinkers when considering current economic problems This new volume from a leading group of international authors and contributors provides a nuanced exploration of the history of Chinese economic thought. Edited By Cheng Lin, Terry Peach And Wang Fang. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.