For centuries the Yangzi delta has acted as the locomotive of China's economic growth. This book examines the surprising phenomenon of a long period of economic growth from 1620 to 1850 in the traditional agriculture of this extremely densely populated area, when no new land was available and no major technological breakthroughs occurred. Intensification of farming and rationalizations of resources saw an optimum model of peasant family economy become the norm. The contrast with western patterns of development improves our understanding of China's economic performance, past and present.

Inhalt

Foreword; W.Chengming - Foreword; S.Yoshinobu - Acknowledgements - Explanatory Matter - Qing Dynasty Jiangnan Administrative Map - Jiangnan Physiographic Map - Overview - PART 2: CHANGES IN ESSENTIAL FACTORS OF PRODUCTION - Labour, Land and Climate - Technologies - PART 2: CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION - The Rationalization of Agricultural Resources Use - The Intensification of Agricultural Production - The Externalization of Agriculture - PART 3: THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE - The Increase in Land Productivity - The Rise of Labour Productivity - Conclusion - Notes - Bibliography - Index