Law and economic change in traditional China: a comparative perspective

Ma, Debin ORCID: 0000-0002-9604-8724 (2009) Law and economic change in traditional China: a comparative perspective. Economic History Working Papers (124/09). Department of Economic History, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.

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Abstract

This article offers a critical review of recent literature on Chinese legal tradition and argues that some subtle but fundamental differences between the Western and Chinese legal traditions are highly relevant to our explanation of the economic divergence in the modern era. By elucidating the fundamental feature of traditional Chinese legal system within the framework of a disciplinary mode of administrative justice, this article highlights the contrasting growth patterns of legal professions and legal knowledge in China and Western Europe that would ultimately affect property rights, contract enforcement and ultimately long-term growth trajectories. The paper concludes with some preliminary analysis on the inter-linkages between the historical evolution of political institution and legal regimes.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Official URL:	http://www2.lse.ac.uk/economicHistory/workingPaper...
Additional Information:	© 2009 Debin Ma
Divisions:	Economic History
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions K Law > K Law (General)
Date Deposited:	11 May 2010 15:10
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2024 20:11
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/27872

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