Commenting on the Arguments Presenting in Pomeranz and Elvin, Discuss the Reasons Why an Industrial Revolution Did Not Occur in China Before the 19th Century.

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCE

ECON0605 ECONOMIC HISTORY OF CHINA

Second Semester 2011-2012

Dr. Patrick Leung

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

Due Date: Friday, May 4, 2012

(Submit a HARD COPY of your paper, with the Turnitin Report (see NOTE below) attached, to the Office of the School of Economics and Finance, KKL Building, Room 908)

Commenting on the arguments presenting in Pomeranz and Elvin, discuss the reasons why an industrial revolution did not occur in China before the 19th Century. In addition to the above authors, you may also refer to other scholars of your choice. You do not have to agree with Pomeranz and Elvin, but you need to explain why.

(Approximately 3,000 typewritten words.)

NOTE

ALL PAPERS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE "TURNITIN" PLAGIARISM SYSTEM FIRST (see Course Website for more information)

RECOMMENDED FURTHER READINGS:

The Journal of Asian Studies, 61, no.2 (May 2002)

Philip Huang, Development or Involution in Eighteenth Century Britain and China? A Review of Kenneth Pomeranz's The Great Divergence

Kenneth Pomeranz, Beyond the East-West Binary: Restituting Development Paths in the Eighteenth Century

The Journal of Asian Studies, 62, no.1 (Feb 2003)

Philip Huang, Further Thoughts on Eighteenth Century Britain and China: Rejoinder to Pomeranz's Response to My Critique

Kenneth Pomeranz, Facts are Stubborn Things: A Response to Philip Huang

(NOTE: YOU MUST READ BOTH HUANG'S CRITIQUES AND POMERANZ'S RESPONSES TO HAVE A COMPLETE PICTURE OF THE DEBATE.)

SEE ALSO:

Daniel Little, "The Involution Debate: New Perspectives on China's Rural Economic History" http://www-personal.umd.umich.edu/~delittle/new%20perspectives%20short%20journal%20version.htm)

Patrick O'Brien, "Ten Years of Debate on the Origins of the Great Divergence"

http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/review/1008

Peer Vries, Via Peking back to Manchester : Britain, the