Eighteenth-Century Chinese Bureaucracy and Disaster Relief Policies

Author: [French] Wei Pixin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Regarding the state during the Ming and Qing dynasties and its role in the socio-economy, until at least the 1990s, the dominant view in academia was negative. The author of this book has since the 1970s revisited these issues with a focus on disaster relief. Taking the disaster relief in Zhili during 1743-1744 as an example, the book conducts a comprehensive study of the state's disaster relief systems, measures, and effectiveness. The discussion extends to the bureaucratic system and management, state finance, local society, food security, commerce and markets, rural economy and life, and more, showcasing a broad perspective. The positive spirit of the 18th-century state, as proposed by the author, its high organizational capacity, authority, and efficiency in managing the economy, have been recognized by academia, thereby confirming the pioneering academic status of this book.