Evolution and Comparative Study of Chinese and Western Economic Thought

Author: Chen Yongqin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-25
Features: The economic thought of China and the West has a 2,500-year evolutionary history. This book conducts a comparative study of both along this timeline and employs two modes of discourse: the evolution and comparison of Chinese and Western economic thought. The author sets up two sections for comparison: "Same Time Period" and "Related Concept Categories." The content of the first section is divided into two aspects. On one hand, it primarily involves: the economic thought of China before and after the Qin and Han dynasties compared with that of ancient Greece; the economic thought of China during the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties compared with that of medieval Western Europe; the economic thought of China during the Qing and Republican periods compared with that of modern Western Europe; and the economic thought of China during the People's Republic period compared with that of contemporary Western Europe. On the other hand, it primarily involves: comparing economic thought systems at different developmental stages; ancient, modern, and contemporary doctrines that have influenced an era; and the differences in the focus of economic issues between the East and the West. The content of the second section is also divided into two aspects. On one hand, it primarily involves: analyzing the formation of different economic thoughts from the perspectives of comparative philosophy and comparative economic philosophy; analyzing the different effects of economic thought from the perspective of comparative economic policy; and analyzing the era-specific characteristics of economic thought from the perspective of comparative economic institutions. On the other hand, it primarily involves: cultural comparative reflection and the interactive effects of political thinking. In the final chapter of the book, the author conducts necessary predictive research on the future of Chinese and Western economic thought. The book advocates for dividing the comparison of Chinese and Western economic thought into four periods: agricultural economy, handicraft economy, industrial economy, and service economy. It argues that Chinese and Western economic thought began to diverge from the Tang Dynasty and Western Europe and notes the influence of factors such as civilization and religion in Chinese and Western cultures on economic thought. The book emphasizes that, in the short term, management power is greater than cultural power, while in the long term, cultural power is greater than management power. This book helps readers contemplate the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western economic thought and expands to related issues in other fields.