著者

荒井 智行

出版者

経済学史学会

雑誌

経済学史研究 (ISSN:18803164)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.57, no.1, pp.73-95, 2015 (Released:2019-08-27)

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Abstract: This study aims to clarify Dugald Stewartʼs vision of civilized society, focusing on his view of overpopulation. Although it has often been considered that Stewart solved this problem by encouraging the development of commercial society and international free trade, he also paid attention to the problem of overpopulation in India and China at that time. In particular, the problem of overpopulation in China was discussed in the Notes of Stewartʼs Lectures on Po-litical Economy written by John Dow, who probably attended Stewartʼs lectures in 1808 and 1809. In this study, by focusing on Stewartʼs arguments about an excessive increase in popula-tion beyond the funds for the maintenance of labor in China, I show the significance of his view of civilization, which was related to his views on “theoretical or conjectural history.” Specifically, I consider the views of China of Adam Smith and Stewart in order to ascertain the characteristics of Stewartʼs original discussion on over-population. I also highlight the im-portant fact that their views of China were different from the level of economy, society, and culture in China and explain that there was a change in information and standpoint about China between the 18th and 19th centuries in Britain. Finally, I point out the historical signif-icance of Stewartʼs arguments on the quality of economic development and progress of hu-man society. JEL classification numbers: B 30, B 31, I 31.