Tang Lixing – författare

In ancient China, as the lowermost class in the social hierarchy, merchants were viewed as greedy and immoral, commanding little respect. But since the sixteenth century, when China entered modern times with the sprout of capitalism, merchants have become a strong force to transform the ancient society. By absorbing methods of anthropology, psychology, geography, and economics, as well as cultural and genealogical studies, this book explores the development and rise of the merchant in modern China. To start with, it examines the golden times of the merchant and the dilemmas facing them in the two-millennia-long traditional society where the "pro-agriculture and anti-commerce" policy was implemented. With the economic development, merchant groups gradually came into being and formed a vibrant social class in the modern era. Major merchant groups, their psychological integration, and the interaction between merchants and capitalism in China are specifically studied. Also, merchants’ role in the communal life is analyzed, including their contribution to the making and expansion of modern communities, which led to China’s social transformation.With a multi-faceted description of Chinese merchants whose development interweaves with the transformation of the ancient country, this book will appeal to scholars and students in economics, history, sociology, and cultural studies. Readers interested in Chinese culture and social history will also be attracted by it.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, merchants in China were incorporated into the bourgeoisie and constituted a vital part of the upstart capitalists. The lowermost class in ancient China’s social hierarchy has thus become a strong force of social transformation in the modern era. From the angle of the interaction between the merchant and modern society, this book examines the factors behind the rise of the merchant class in China, in terms of its cultural traits, inner structure, and business modes. First, it analyzes the features and historical standings of merchant culture which came into existence on the basis of reworking and integrating Neo-Confucianism. It argues that merchant culture pushed China’s early enlightenment movement to a new level. Then the rise of the bourgeoisie and their role in the evolution of modern Chinese society are studied thoroughly. More importantly, by examining the "golden age" of the merchant after the 1911 Revolution and its end brought by the Northern Expedition, this book studies the dilemmas faced by Chinese merchants. Finally, it probes into the reasons why it was hard for China to go beyond modern society, that is, completing the transition from commodity economy to capitalist economy. This book will deepen the understanding of China’s merchant class and modern Chinese society. Scholars and students in economics, history, sociology, and cultural studies will be attracted by it.

As the first of a two-volume set examining the distinctive social structure and governance of Huizhou, China, this book focuses on the internal elements of this social functioning.From the sixteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century, Huizhou, a historic region in what is now Anhui Province in China, was characterized by long-term social stability and prosperity. Even during times of war and unrest, Huizhou was able to quickly restore order. This two-volume study explores the reasons for this stability and its relevance and implications for contemporary society. In this first volume, the author provides an insider’s view of the factors that contributed to this remarkable social stability. It begins with an account of the historical context of the region, including clans, businessmen, and non-state institutions. The book then examines the internal drivers of this stable society, including autonomous local governance based on Confucian culture, merchant culture, and clan culture, which together ensured effective leadership of various non-governmental organizations.The title will appeal to scholars and students of Chinese history, social and economic history in modern China, as well as readers interested in China’s transition to modernity.

Focusing on social structure and local governance in Huizhou, China, this two-volume set examines the persistence of the patriarchal system, the maintenance of social stability, and the functioning of interregional networks in pre-modern China.From the sixteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century, Huizhou, a historic region in present-day Anhui Province in China, was characterised by long-term social stability and prosperity. Even during times of war and unrest, Huizhou was able to quickly restore order. This study explores the reasons for this stability and its significant relevance and implications for contemporary society. Based on the author's previous research and detailed analysis of historical materials such as local gazetteers, genealogies, contracts, inscriptions, archives, etc., the book examines the internal and external reasons for Huizhou's "hyper" social stability over the past four centuries. It offers in-depth and novel insights into the characteristics of Huizhou society and the mechanisms behind its internal structure. Through case studies of Huizhou's rural areas, the book reveals the patterns of autonomy in the countryside.The set will appeal to scholars and students of Chinese history, social and economic history of modern China, as well as readers interested in China's transition to modernity.

As the second volume of a two-volume set that examines the distinctive social structure and governance of Huizhou, China, this book focuses on the external factors that influence and renew social functioning.From the sixteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century, Huizhou, a historic region in what is now Anhui Province in China, was characterized by longterm social stability and prosperity. Even during times of war and unrest, Huizhou was able to quickly restore order. This two-volume study explores the reasons for this stability and its relevance and implications for contemporary society. In this second volume, the author examines a group of ‘outsiders’ to Huizhou society, who conducted business outside the region while maintaining their hometown and linking their social networks from both urban and rural Huizhou. The book discusses how local tradition and rural governance were sustained through wars and social unrest. It also illustrates how a new, modernized order was re-established after the devastation of war and communist reform in the twentieth century.The title will appeal to scholars and students of Chinese history, the social and economic history of modern China, and readers interested in China’s transition to modernity.

In ancient China, as the lowermost class in the social hierarchy, merchants were viewed as greedy and immoral, commanding little respect. But since the sixteenth century, when China entered modern times with the sprout of capitalism, merchants have become a strong force to transform the ancient society. By absorbing methods of anthropology, psychology, geography, and economics, as well as cultural and genealogical studies, this book explores the development and rise of the merchant in modern China. To start with, it examines the golden times of the merchant and the dilemmas facing them in the two-millennia-long traditional society where the "pro-agriculture and anti-commerce" policy was implemented. With the economic development, merchant groups gradually came into being and formed a vibrant social class in the modern era. Major merchant groups, their psychological integration, and the interaction between merchants and capitalism in China are specifically studied. Also, merchants’ role in the communal life is analyzed, including their contribution to the making and expansion of modern communities, which led to China’s social transformation.With a multi-faceted description of Chinese merchants whose development interweaves with the transformation of the ancient country, this book will appeal to scholars and students in economics, history, sociology, and cultural studies. Readers interested in Chinese culture and social history will also be attracted by it.