The Rice Economies: Technology and Development in Asian Societies

Description

The contrast in the rate of growth between Western and Eastern societies since 1800 has caused Asian societies to be characterized as backward and resistant to change, though until 1600 or so certain Asian states were technologically far in advance of Europe. The Rice Economies, drawing on original source materials, examines patterns of technological and social evolution specific to East-Asian wet-rice economies in order to clarfiy some general historical trends in economic development. The Rice Economies Contents Figures and tables Figures Tables Chinese dynasties Japanese eras Preface Additional references Acknowledgements Maps Introduction Eurocentric models of historical change An alternative model? The significance of a model of development for rice economies 1 The rice-plant: diversity and intensification The origins of Asian rice Natural characteristics of rice Selection techniques 2 Paths of technical development Building new fields Raising yields Labour productivity and the mechanisation question 3 Water Control Water control and institutions: the debate A technical classification of water control systems Gravity-fed irrigation networks Ponds, tanks and reservoirs Contour canals 'Creek' irrigation18 Pump irrigation schemes Patterns of growth and change 4 Rice and the wider economy 'Skill-oriented' and 'mechanical' technologies The specificity of wet-rice agriculture Uniformity and systemic change Monoculture and markets Economic diversification Petty commodity production and rural industrialisation 5 Development Some basic issues Labour and capital The historical experience: the predominance of labour and the 'Japanese model Choice of technological inputs Capital investment Productivity of labour and capital Expertise and participation 6 Peasant, landlord and state: changes in relations of production Conflict, cooperation and control Historical changes in relations of production 'Feudal' relations and frontier zones Smallholder economies: expansion and stagnation Egalitarianism or differentiation: the impact of capitalism Land and landlessness 'Land to the tiller' Group farming Socialist land reform Appendix A: The Western model Appendix B: The historical experience of China Appendix C: The Japanese experience Notes Chapter I The rice-plant: diversity and intensification Chapter 2 Paths of technical development Chapter 3 Water control Chapter 4 Rice and the wider economy Chapter 5 Development Chapter 6 Peasant, landlord and state: changes relations of production Appendix A The western model Appendix B The historical experience of China Appendix C The Japanese experience References Glossary Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M O P R S T U V W Y