
Fate and Fortune in Rural China
Social Organization and Population Behavior in Liaoning 1774-1873
Cambridge University Press
Published on 16. August 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
308 pages
978-0-521-03969-7 (ISBN)
Description
Fate and Fortune in Rural China is a major contribution to the study of both the social and population history of late traditional China, and that of historical demography in general. Lee and Campbell use the example of Liaoning to demonstrate the interaction between demographic and other social pressures, and to illustrate graphically the nature of social mobility and social organization in rural China over the course of the century from 1774-1873. Their conclusion - that social norms, rooted in ideology, determined demographic performance - is supported by a mass of hitherto inaccessible primary data. The authors show how the Chinese state articulated two different principles of social hierarchy, heredity and ability, through two different social organizations: households and banners. These different boundary conditions, each the explicit creation of the state, gave rise to contrasting demographic behaviour.
Reviews / Votes
'More than a decade in the making, this book is a brilliant achievement. Even those without a taste for numerical calculations should read this work carefully. Its conclusions are solid, and its implications very large for future studies of imperial China's society.' The Journal of Asian Studies 'I strongly recommend this book to be a required reader for any future China scholars in the disciplines of anthropology, sociology, history, demography, or research methodology.' American Anthropologist 'This is a landmark work on Chinese social history.' American Journal of Sociology 'Meticulous ... and intelligent ... [A] major achievement.' Population and Development Review 'Lee and Campbell present a detailed and compex analysis of Daoyi Village ...' Asian AffairsMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
3 Maps
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
503 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-03969-7 (9780521039697)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

James Z. Lee | Cameron D. Campbell
Fate and Fortune in Rural China
Social Organization and Population Behavior in Liaoning 1774-1873
Book
02/1997
Cambridge University Press
€86.66
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition

James Z. Lee | Cameron D. Campbell
Fate and Fortune in Rural China
Social Organization and Population Behavior in Liaoning 1774-1873
Book
02/1997
Cambridge University Press
€86.66
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Content
List of figures; List of maps; List of tables; Acknowledgements; Part I. Daoyi Village: 1. Prologue; 2. Social organization and social mobility; 3. Spatial and temporal setting; Part II. The Liaoning Demographic System: 4. Two types of positive check: infanticide and neglect; 5. Two types of preventive check: nuptiality and fertility; Part III. Household Organization and Population Behavior: 6. Domestic cycle and household formation; 7. Domestic hierarchy and demographic privilege; Part IV. Banner Organization and Population Behavior: 8. Bannermen and banner organization; 9. Banner hierarchy and demographic privilege; 10. Two types of social mobility; Epilogue: prospects, implications and comparisons; Appendices; Glossary; References; Index.