Graduation Date

2000

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Arts degree with a major in Sociology

Committee Chair Name

Dr. Pat Wenger

Committee Chair Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Dr. Jerrald D. Krause

Third Committee Member Name

Dr. Sing Chew

Fourth Committee Member Name

Dr. Ronald A. Fritzsche

Keywords

Sociology

Subject Categories

Sociology

Abstract

Through the course of history nation-states have undergone immense socioeconomic transformations as they shuffle positions in the world economy. In tracing the development of the global economy we can see that the accumulation of capital is not a new phenomenon, but a continuous part of human history. This global economic system emerged in Afro-Eurasia and can be traced back a millennium before European hegemony. Long before European economic dominance, the global economy was centered in Asia with its hegemonic center in China. This thesis will bring to light the historical presence of Asia within the world system and argue that China occupied a hegemonic position in the global economy for three centuries up until 1800. The focus of this analysis will be to examine 20 century China and her past hegemonic counterpart. I will then argue that contemporary economic conditions in China suggest that she is once again re-emerging as a powerful player in the global economy. The current economic success in East Asia has the potential of bringing about a new economic order with its center in China. This analysis will argue that, like the China of the 15th century, the China of the 21st century will emerge to become an economic force. This examination will employ the use of secondary analysis to examine literature and economic indicators.

Included in

Sociology Commons

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