The Chinese State in Ming Society

by Timothy Brook

The Ming dynasty (1368-1644), a period of commercial expansion and cultural innovation, fashioned the relationship between state and society in Chinese history. This unique collection of reworked and heavily illustrated essays, by one of the leading scholars of Chinese history, re-examines this relationship. It argues that, contrary to previous scholarship, it was radical responses within society that led to a 'constitution', not periods of fluctuation within the dynasty itself. Brook's outstanding scholarship demonstrates that it was changes in commercial relations and social networks that were actually responsible for the development of a stable society. This imaginative reconsidering of existing scholarship on the history of China will be fascinating reading for scholars and students interested in China's development.

Genres: China, History, Nonfiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Timothy James Brook is a Canadian historian, sinologist, and writer specializing in the study of China (sinology). He holds the Republic of China Chair, Department of History, University of British Columbia.

His research interests include the social and cultural history of the Ming Dynasty in China; law and punishment in Imperial China; collaboration during Japan's wartime occupation of China, 1937–45 and war crimes trials in Asia; global history; and historiography.

Reviews

[Aidan Darnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for anyone looking into what life was like - at all levels of society - in Ming China. Brook’s approach is clear, thoughtful, and right in line with my own (likely biased) understanding of power, history, and socio-political interactions. To that end his examples make sense, his writing is clear (if academic and dense at times), and his points are well made. A great, well researched guide to life in a place and time far away from my own.

[!Tæmbuŝu]

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