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無為 – On the Eurasian Roots of the Laissez-Faire Doctrine

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  • Gerlach Christian

    (GAM Investments, Zürich, Switzerland)

Abstract

This paper focuses on the diffusion of 無為/ wu-wei (an ancient Chinese concept of political economy) throughout Europe, between 1648 and 1848. It argues that at the core of this diffusion process were three significant developments; first, the importation and active transmission of wu-wei by the Low Countries during the seventeenth century. It is revealed that the details of Chinese expertise entered Europe via the textual diffusion of Jesuit texts and the visual diffusion of millions of so-called minben-images during the ceramic boom of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Thus, the hypothesis is advanced that the diffusion of wu-wei, co-evolved with the inner-European laissez-faire principle, the Libaniusian model.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerlach Christian, 2019. "無為 – On the Eurasian Roots of the Laissez-Faire Doctrine," Man and the Economy, De Gruyter, vol. 6(2), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:maneco:v:6:y:2019:i:2:p:16:n:3
    DOI: 10.1515/me-2019-0009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. H. Spencer Banzhaf, 2000. "Productive Nature and the Net Product: Quesnay's Economies Animal and Political," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 32(3), pages 517-551, Fall.
    2. Ken McCormick, 1999. "The Tao of Laissez-Faire," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 25(3), pages 331-341, Summer.
    3. Deng, Kent G, 2003. "Development and Its Deadlock in Imperial China, 221 B.C.-1840 A.D," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 51(2), pages 479-522, January.
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