Fate and Fortune in Rural China
Social Organization and Population Behavior in Liaoning 1774–1873

A major contribution to the social history of China, and to historical demography in general.

James Z. Lee (Author), Cameron D. Campbell (Author)

9780521039697, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 August 2007

308 pages, 3 maps
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.8 cm, 0.471 kg

'Lee and Campbell present a detailed and compex analysis of Daoyi Village …' Asian Affairs

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], Asian history [HBJF]