Autarky and the Rise and Fall of Piracy in Ming China

Bibliographic Data

ID5753137
AuthorsJames Kai‐sing Kung (0000-0001-9733-8638, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), James Kai-Sing Kung, Chicheng Ma (0000-0002-4198-630X, Shandong University)
Year2014
Volume74
Issue2
Pages509-534
Publication date2014-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Economic History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-0507 • E-ISSN: 1471-6372
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0022050714000345
OpenAlexW2104646409
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited41

We examine the impact of rigorous trade suppression during 1550-1567 on the sharp rise of piracy in this period of Ming China. By analyzing a uniquely constructed historical data set, we find that the enforcement of a "sea (trade) ban" policy led to a rise in pirate attacks that was 1.3 times greater among the coastal prefectures more suitable for silk manufactures-our proxy for greater trade potential. Our study illuminates the conflicts in which China subsequently engaged with the Western powers, conflicts that eventually resulted in the forced abandonment of its long upheld autarkic principle

Abandonment (legal) · Autarky · China · Economics · Economy · Enforcement · International trade · Political science · Proxy (statistics) · Asian Studies and History · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · Law · Maritime Security and History

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