A Comprehensive History of the Chinese Economy. Volume on the Economy of the Qin and Han Dynasties (Part 1 and Part 2)

Author: Lin Ganquan, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-08-01
Features: The General History of China's Economy·Volume on the Qin and Han Dynasties analyzes the natural and social environments of economic development during the Qin and Han periods, providing a comprehensive discussion on the basic economic zones, basic production units, industrial structure and economic types, as well as the socio-economic forms. The book argues that the essential characteristic of natural economy is not self-sufficiency but self-provisioning production; the landlord economy and small-peasant economy of the Qin and Han dynasties demonstrate that feudal natural economy and feudal commodity economy can coexist within the same economic unit and complement each other, which is a significant feature of China's feudal socio-economic structure. The book offers a detailed examination of the productivity levels and complex production relations in Qin and Han agriculture and handicrafts, as well as commercial activities, transportation, currency, finance, population, and taxes and corvée labor. It presents some insights differing from those of previous researchers. Dedicated chapters are also devoted to the wealth distribution and life consumption of various social classes and strata, as well as the economic life of ethnic minorities, which have been less explored by earlier scholars. The entire book is well-supported by substantial evidence, with particular emphasis on citing newly unearthed archaeological materials.