Westernization Movement and Early Thought of Modernization in China: Pragmatism and Changes in Society, 1860s–1900s

This book examines the Westernization Movement in modern Chinese History, in the latter 19th century and the economic impact on manufacturing and enterprise evolution. It examines the rise, development, and performance of this movement on both the micro and macro-levels. This book reveals achievements in technology transfer without political changes, which set the limits for the westernization movement. It evaluates the link between the Westernization Movement and China’s economic reforms after 1978, and the factors that may have constrained the development of economic thought in China.
The book provides valuable insights into how Chinese economic thought transitioned, and is a valuable contribution to the debate on how the early Westernization Movement in China caused a change in consumer thought. It will be of interest to academics in economic history and those interested in the development of modern China and the emergence of manufacturing and entrepreneurship in China.



Jianbo Zhou is a Professor in the School of Economics at Peking University, China. He has more than 20 years teaching and research experience in the fields of history of economic thought and economic history.



Jianhua Zhao is a Professor in the College of Economics and Management at China Three Gorges University. He is also an experienced translator in the field of economics and translated Jianbo Zhou’s work into English.