The Economic Ethic in Chinese Society: Differences from and Similarities to the Western Economic Ethic from the Perspective of Social Cooperation(*)

Abstract

Using game theory and transaction cost theory, religion or the religious ethic is converted to a system that provides ethical support and interpretation for various types of social cooperation and supports their equilibrium either partially or completely. From the perspective of the social cooperation ethic, the economic ethic of modern society may be viewed as a “partial equilibrium” that comprises the horizontal cooperation ethic (commerce or market) and the vertical cooperation ethic (the internal power in an enterprise). In this regard, Weber strongly interpreted the causes and processes of the differentiation and independence of the modern economic ethic of the West as “partial equilibrium” from “overall equilibrium.” However, the economic ethic in Chinese society has been different and has always maintained a close association with “overall equilibrium,” and its expression and symbolism have undergone a change in process from the local god of Sheji (社稷神, god of state) to local Chenghuang gods (城隍神, city gods) to nationwide popular general gods.