The Status of the Far Eastern Civilization/World System: Evidence from City Data

Abstract

T. Chandler’s city data are used to inquire whether, and when, East Asia was a world system in itself, or part of a larger Old World world-system; and whether, and when, the east end of the Old World oikumene was more “advanced” than the west end. On the available data, (1) A.G. Frank’s thesis of a single Old World world-system is less well supported than the thesis of a long coexistence of a plurality of world systems, including a separate Far Eastern system; (2) Frank’s thesis of the general economic lead of “China” over “Europe” is supported; (3) there is evidence of an interesting medieval outrunning of the “west end” by the “east end” economy, which begs further investigation.