Chinese Hinterland Capitalism and Shanxi Piaohao: Banking, State, and Family, 1720-1910

This book explores Shanxi piaohao, private financiers from the Chinese hinterland, in late imperial China's economic and business history, forming the original theory of Chinese hinterland capitalism. It highlights their expansionist role in transforming China's market and trade from an agrarian empire to a modern nation-state. It also focuses on the lives of the people and their lifeworlds behind financial institutions, challenging binary oppositions between coastal areas, hinterland, state, and market. Based on archival material and correspondence with Shanxi piaohao offices and branches, the book appeals to students and scholars of Chinese and economic history, anthropology, and postcolonial studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate tapestry of Shanxi piaohao, private financiers hailing from the Chinese hinterland, and their profound impact on the economic and business history of late imperial China. By examining the intricate dynamics within these families and financial institutions, the author sheds light on the hitherto overlooked expansionist role played by Shanxi piaohao in propelling China from an agrarian empire to a modern nation-state. In a groundbreaking departure from traditional economic narratives, the book also delves into the rich histories of the people and their lived experiences, challenging the erasure of their lifeworlds by universal capitalist frameworks. Through a meticulous exploration of local histories in the marginalized countryside and borderlands of China, the book transcends persistent binary oppositions such as coastal areas versus hinterland, state versus market, and institutions versus families. Drawing upon a wealth of archival material and engaging in extensive correspondence with Shanxi piaohao offices and branches, Chinese Hinterland Capitalism and Shanxi Piaohao offers a captivating perspective for students and scholars of Chinese and economic history, anthropology, and postcolonial studies alike. This meticulously researched and engaging work will undoubtedly enrich our understanding of the complex interplay between finance, power, and society in late imperial China.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367458096