Cultural Values and Land Dynamics in Preindustrial China and England

This chapter examines the profound effects of Confucian kinship hierarchies on land ownership and social structures in preindustrial China, contrasting these with the English system where wealth defined status. It highlights the political empowerment of lower-income households in rural China compared to the dominance of wealthy elites in English villages. Through detailed analysis, the chapter reveals how cultural norms and economic frameworks shaped property relations and the lived experiences of the poor in both societies.