Southwest Regional Markets Origins And History Of The Formation

This dissertation ceners on the origin and historical evolvement of market place inthe multi-ethllic regions of Southwest China."Introduction" offers a discussion about the choice of the subect, itsmeaningfulness, its main idea, research methods and material source. The a'Uthor also.gives a primaxy review of some important literthee from within China and outside of it. 4Chapter One "Primordial Exchange and the Origin of Market" tackles the origin ofprimitive exchange and some primary exchange pallerns such as "assistam exchange",'"gift exchange" and "silence exchange". In addition, cases from minority areas inSouthwest China, and ethnograPhic data from other region outside China, are put to use.The author tries to develop her own view by odring analyses that are based on theachievements made by predecessors, especially those by Professor Lu Xun. Her pointsof views include, for example, there are tWo possible pattems in the origin of marketplace f one is "exchange-far", the other "silence exchange ".ChaPter TWo "The Evolvement of Trade Market (RegUlar Market-place) in theEthnic Southwest" analyzes influences of nrtal environment and economic-culforalpatterns in the Southwest over the forming of market place, pointing out the intrigUinginterconnection betWeen them. It also gives a brief accowt of the history of trade andmarket p1aces in the ethnic SouthWest, further untang1ing the tempo-spatial density inthe distnbution of the regUlar markCt place in those regions. The author believes that themarket place in tbe multi-ethnic SouthWest is diffeen from that in other regions inChina. Such diffeence has much to do with local history and interactions betWeenethLnic cultUres. Tempo-spatial density in the distributon of regUlar market place isanother important aspect.ChaPters Wee, Four Five and Six are dealt with tbIough "typologized' descriptionsand analyses. The aUthor holds that the aspects of geograPhy, ecology culture, socialand ethnic relations can explain the background complexity in Southwest China,making the historical evolvemeflt of local markCt atemely comPlicated. Ageneralization of such historical evolvement will lead to several "tyPes", Whch shouldbe the types of "local-product", ',distributing", "festivity',, ',temple-festival',,,'administfative-cen and "main-transportation", sevenin all. No doubt, these are only deal twes. Some tyPes are the product of interaction ofmore than one factor The increased scale of some markets, for example, is possibly dueto the fact that products come from the local area; besides, it also involves theconditions of transport.TO finalize, the author further develops her line of argument from tbe origin ofmarket to historical evolvement, fuwher clarifies the point on the possible doubleorigins of market and its multiple chaxmels of fOrmation. A final touch is given to theuntouched subects of the periodicity of ethnic market places and transfOrmation in theSouthwest and the tfans-ethnic society and the market place.