The Status of the Far Eastern Civilization/World System: Evidence from City Data

Authors

  • David Wilkinson University of California, Los Angeles

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2002.260

Abstract

T. Chandler?s city data are used to inquire whether, and when, East Asia was a world system in itself, or part of a larger Old World world-system; and whether, and when, the east end of the Old World oikumene was more ?advanced? than the west end. On the available data, (1) A.G. Frank?s thesis of a single Old World world-system is less well supported than the thesis of a long coexistence of a plurality of world systems, including a separate Far Eastern system; (2) Frank?s thesis of the general economic lead of ?China? over ?Europe? is supported; (3) there is evidence of an interesting medieval outrunning of the ?west end? by the ?east end? economy, which begs further investigation.

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Published

2002-11-26

How to Cite

Wilkinson, D. (2002). The Status of the Far Eastern Civilization/World System: Evidence from City Data. Journal of World-Systems Research, 8(3), 292–328. https://doi.org/10.5195/jwsr.2002.260

Issue

Section

General Section