The Pattern of the Chinese Past

by Mark Elvin

Book Overview

A satisfactory comprehensive history of the social and economic development of pre-modern China, the largest country in the world in terms of population, and with a documentary record covering three millennia, is still far from possible. The present work is only an attempt to disengage the major themes that seem to be of relevance to our understanding of China today. In particular, this volume studies three questions. Why did the Chinese Empire...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804708762
• ISBN13: 9780804708760
• Release Date: June 1973
• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

"High-level Equilibrium Trap"

Professor Elvin renders Chinese history through an economic perspective instead of using the common dynastic classification by attempting to answer three questions:-What contributed to the continuity of the Chinese empire?-Why was the Chinese economy the most advanced in the world from the Song dynasty (960-1279) up until the latter half of the Qing dynasty (mid-1800's)?-Why did China fail to maintain her technological advantage after the mid-fourteenth century while advancing economically?In the first section of the book, the author elucidates the staying power of the Chinese empire was due to the following factors. The economics of defense in relation to the size of empire and the power of its neighbors never became an extreme burden that it rendered the state impotent for any consecutively long period of time. It was always able to reformulate itself after a short disunity or rule by a foreign power of the whole, which only happened twice within a two thousand year period (Mongol and Manchu rule). Two other factors that contributed to the continuity of the Chinese state include a relatively isolated existence from the rest of the Eurasian landmass and the important placed on cultural unity, beginning with the first emperor's destruction of local records in order to quell local loyalties (pp.21-22). Both of these factors had been built up over time through a revolution in communication and transportation.The second section of the book analyses the causes of the economic revolution that occurred between the 8th and 12th centuries and the technological growth that accompanied it. The transformation of agriculture, especially in the south, was the major impetus that fuelled the economic growth of this period. This revolution in agriculture had four aspects. 1.) The preparation of soil became more effective as a result of improved or new tools and the extensive use of manure and lime as fertilizer. 2.) Seed improvements allowed for double cropping. 3.) Improvements in hydraulic techniques and irrigation networks and 4.) specialization in crops other than basic foodgrains (p.118). Improvements in transportation and communications were almost as important as agriculture in growing the economy. Water transport saw big gains and led to the golden age of geographic studies and cartography, with envoys travelling as far away as Africa. Money and credit matured during this time helping to expand the economy. Paper money made its first appearence in 1024. Improvements in science, medicine, and technology also occurred during this period. However, dispite all these advancements, "this period was the climax and also the end of many preceding centuries of scientific and technical progress"(p.179). Although the Chinese economy continued to advance from the 14th century on, albeit on a smaller scale, it was not accompanied by improvements in technology.The last section deals with this phenomenon, describing the distinctive characteristics of this