China and Historical Capitalism

Until recently capitalism has been regarded as unique to Europe and as an organic outgrowth of Western civilization. By examining China in these Eurocentric terms China has been perceived by Westerners and Asians alike to be a failed version of the West. The aim of this collaborative project is to examine how the experience of capitalism as a European social formation and as a world system has shaped knowledge of China. In addition the volume seeks to establish new foundations on which a theory of Chinese society might be built.