China’s Road in the Great Divergence: Qing’s Model of Economic Development in the 1644-1911 Era

- Impressions:

Ni Yuping’s China’s Road in the Great Divergence challenges conventional narratives about China’s economic stagnation during the Qing dynasty. Drawing on quantitative data and regional case studies, Ni argues that Qing China followed a distinct development model, which prioritized agrarian stability, state regulation, and fiscal balance over industrial transformation. While this model fostered demographic growth and social order, it also limited China’s ability to compete with the West during the Industrial Revolution. The book contributes to the broader “Great Divergence” debate by highlighting China’s unique path and the structural constraints of Qing governance. It is an essential reference for scholars of economic history, China studies, and comparative development.