A comprehensive and systematic study of modern Chinese merchants. Explore the role of merchants in the modernization of Chinese society.
Since ancient times, merchants have been relegated to the "end of the four peoples"; even in the emotional world, merchants have become a fixed role in "heavy profits over separation". In fact, the merchant class is an advanced social force in Chinese society after the 16th century, and their business activities loosen the foundation of traditional society and promote the slow transformation of traditional society
Merchants' activities permeate every corner of society, and this book examines the unique function of merchants in the era of change in recent times from the broad perspective of the interaction between merchants and modern society. The author elaborates on the formation of modern merchant groups, the geographical distribution of merchants, their distinctive business activities and their methods, the social life and mentality of merchants, merchants and urban culture, urban social and economic changes, and the changes of merchants themselves in recent times, and points out that under China's unique social structure, businessmen have always been in a dilemma, and it is still difficult to get out of the strange circle of modern society. His research is quite powerful and innovative, and it is a clear lesson for today's economic reform and even social reform.