ABSTRACT

How does culture shape history, and history shape culture? This book answers this question by bringing readers on a fascinating journey through the evolution of Chinese culture, political and legal institutions, and "national character" of historical and contemporary China. It illustrates how "national character" evolves endogenously along with an institutional environment through the use of economic theories. Recognizing the unique role of "personality" in violence and social order – important variables that contribute to successful economies, the book provides a meaningful take on "personality" from the "average personality" of a country’s people. It analyses the relationship between culture, institution and "national character", providing gainful, interesting insights into the monumental transformation of China.

chapter |11 pages

Introduction

part |30 pages

How did the ancient dynasties manage the large country of China?

chapter |8 pages

The Ming Dynasty

chapter |12 pages

The Qing Dynasty

part |35 pages

An introduction to ancient Japan and the First Sino–Japanese War

part |16 pages

National humiliations in the late Qing Dynasty and the New Culture Movement

part |19 pages

The establishment of communist China and the Chinese national character

chapter |6 pages

Korean War

chapter |7 pages

Cultural Revolution

chapter |4 pages

Epilogue