The Chinese World Order

by John King Fairbank (Editor)

Harvard East Asian Series 32.- By John K. Fairbank, Editor. 6x9" 416 pages. Copyright 1968 thus a First Edition, cover price $10.00, published by Harvard University Press.

Genres: China, History, Politics, Cultural

416 pages, Hardcover

First published February 5, 1968

About the author

John King Fairbank (1907 – 1991) was an American historian of China and United States-China relations. He taught at Harvard University from 1936 until his retirement in 1977. He is credited with building the field of China studies in the United States after World War II with his organizational ability, his mentorship of students, support of fellow scholars, and formulation of basic concepts to be tested.
The Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard is named after him.

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a seminal 1968 study of the tributary system, a phrase used by Fairbanks to describe the foreign relations of China, particularly in the Ming and Qing period, late imperial China.

Vassal states, especially Choson Korea and the Ryukyu were to submit to China politically and receive titles and to use the Ming calendar. However, in actual practice, they receive considerable protection from the Ming court and "gifts" used in trade. Choson and Ryukyu were considered to be the best examples of tributary states for the Ming.

Japan did not submit to the Ming calendar nor as a vassal and therefore trade between the Ming and Muromachi shoguns were handled differently. This a key point of the Tributary system.

This is still the earliest study of the important Tributary system.

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening collection of essays that serves as a great academic introduction to the way China has understood its position in the world and has interacted with other states. Great historical anecdotes about various engagements or diplomatic exchanges between China and Steppe peoples, as well as various empires of Central and Southeast Asia. Slightly dated at times.