ABSTRACT
Introduction The diffusion of ideas is also a process of intellectual creation. With the lack of domestic sources and with the urgent need for transformation, most of the Western concepts ‘imported’ into the country, such as Classical Economics and Marxism, had been re-created, diffused and then accepted in early modern China (see Trescott, 2007). However, the recreation and transmission of Friedrich List’s (1789-1846) ideas in China at that time was not deemed successful. This chapter will examine the process of diffusion through the works of Kaihua Wang (1894-1976), in order to explore List’s ideas for their ‘Chinese characteristics’ (see Warner, 2015 and in this volume). A key author, Professor Yan (2011, 2015a, 2015b), discusses the transmission of List’s theory into China in the early twentieth century, and argues that the reception was ‘active’ but not influential. Yet he distinguishes almost no difference between List’s image in Germany and in China and demonstrates a strong tendency towards the development dimension. Another source, Wendler (2014: 105-114) summarizes several updated works of research on List and extends the time-span up to today’s China. He finds that the PRC governments after 1949 have kept a positive attitude towards List, and even the ‘Open Door’ policy after 1978 was in turn in favour of self-reliance based on List’s theories. Again, another view (see Trescott, 2007, as well as his chapters in this volume) depicts a comprehensive picture of the transmission of German Economics to China by returning students, at the turn of the twentieth century, including List’s followers. Key issues remain concerning the earlier ignorance and the then later complete absorption of List. We will try to answer the following questions vis-à-vis the exploration of List’s image in the diffusion of his work. Has List been ‘recreated’ through the transmission and reception of his works in China? Does the ‘second face of Janus’ in fact matter? The chapter will begin with a brief illustration of Friedrich List’s image in Germany and the United States as a reference-point; we will then introduce Wang’s life in its historical context. Wang’s description of List through his dissertation will also be analysed in detail. The fourth and fifth part will focus on
Wang’s influence and the following reception of List in China. The chapter will end with a set of concluding remarks.
