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Holistic approach needed for ancient China studies

By Geng Xue | 2014-09-12 | Hits:
(Chinese Social Sciences Today)

In recent years, the historical study of ancient China has increasingly focused on specialized research areas, especially the details of history, such as research on life in the lower class. However, historical studies in general tend to be more fragmentary, requiring greater emphasis on constructing the theoretical framework and narrative structure in a more holistic way. From Aug. 16 to 17, the academic symposium Agribusiness and Merchants in Ancient China was hosted at Yunnan University. As the attendees pointed out, the agricultural and commercial elements of ancient China complemented each other while the growing merchant class that developed during the Tang and Song dynasties further complicated the relationship between political power and social assets, which is why all these factors need to be studied as a whole entity.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 639, August 27, 2014  

Edited and translated by Bai Le
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