Clair Yang and Yasheng Huang investigate a worldwide phenomenon of “political divergence” between East and West. During the 8th to 10th century, both Western Europe and China achieved political stability but through dramatically different routes. Western Europe developed parliamentary representation on the basis of a power balance between the aristocrats and the crown, whereas China consolidated absolutism with the help of state bureaucracy and exam-based meritocracy. In this Quantitative History Webinar, Clair will present empirical evidence that documents this great political divergence. Her presentation will introduce the audience to a theory that seeks to explain the dynamic evolution of monarchy-aristocracy power balance and its implication on political stability and institutional improvements.
Discussant: Tuan-Hwee Sng (National University of Singapore)
Live on Zoom on November 12, 2020
09:00 Hong Kong | 10:00 Tokyo | 12:00 Sydney
20:00 Previous day New York Time
Photo credit: 109902512 © creativecommonsstockphotos - Dreamstime.com
About the Quantitative History Webinar Series
The Quantitative History Webinar Series, convened by Professor Zhiwu Chen and Dr. Chicheng Ma of The University of Hong Kong (HKU), aims to provide researchers, teachers and students with an online intellectual platform to keep up to date with the latest research in the field, promoting the dissemination of research findings and interdisciplinary use of quantitative methods in historical research. The Series is co-organized by the International Society for Quantitative History, HKU Business School, and the Asia Global Institute (AGI).
Conveners:
Professor Zhiwu Chen
Dr. Chicheng Ma
To return to the Series page, click here.