China and Historical Capitalism
Until recently, capitalism has been regarded as unique to Europe and as an organic outgrowth of Western civilization. By examining China in these Eurocentric terms, China has been perceived, by Westerners and Asians alike, to be a failed version of the West. The aim of this collaborative project is to examine how the experience of capitalism as a European social formation, and as a world system, has shaped knowledge of China. In addition the volume seeks to establish new foundations on which a theory of Chinese society might be built.
- Provides a new understanding of capitalism and the intellectual effects of this model, and corrects the distortion of viewing China through the capitalist lens
- Incorporates the most recent thinking on the nature of Chinese society
- Brings together outstanding social theorist of world history (Wallerstein) with four leading China specialists
Reviews & endorsements
"This is an interesting, clearly written, thoroughly researched and well-documented study." International Journal
Product details
September 2002Paperback
9780521525916
304 pages
229 × 151 × 23 mm
0.616kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction Gregory Blue and Timothy Brook
- 1. The West, capitalism and the modern world-system Immanuel Wallerstein
- 2. China and Western social thought Gregory Blue
- 3. Capitalism and the writing of modern history in China Timothy Brook
- 4. Toward a critical history of non-Western technology Francesca Bray
- 5. The political economy of agrarian Empire and its modern legacy R. Bin Wong
- Bibliography.