11th century Chinese iron production . . .

. . . is perhaps a cautionary tale for modern times:

An unfavorable ideological climate can stop the growth of capitalism in its tracks, as history amply reveals. Stark provides the example (among others) of iron production in eleventh-century China. The late tenth century saw the development of an iron industry in parts of northern China; by 1018, approximately thirty-five thousand tons were being produced every year. But by the end of the century, the industry was dead and its facilities abandoned. What happened, [Rodney] Stark explains, is that the imperial court came to the conclusion that the new industry-created wealth tended to undermine Confucian values as well as social harmony and stability because it implicitly challenged the view that commoners should be content with their state and should not seek after riches. “So, they declared a state monopoly on iron and seized everything” (p. 72).

Note that ". . . it is possible that Chinese iron output in the 11th century was approximately equivalent to total European production at the at the start of the 18th century." [footnote omitted]

Wow. (Quibble here.)

Comments

[tehag]

I see the Precautionary Principle was invented by the Chinese. How wise and Green of them. Their technology-suppression will set a sterling example for our own Greens, who have despised technology at least since the nuclear bomb and the computer (don't fold spindle mutilate). Back to 1000 A.D.!

[jorod]

Royal Licenses by any other name?

[david foster]

What's the "quibble" at the link?...maybe I missed it, but it looked consistent with what Stark was saying.