The Creation of Justi’s Vergleichungen and the Role that China Played in it

This thesis examines different aspects of Vergleichungen der Europäischen mit den Asiatischen und andern vermeintlich Barbarischen Regierungen, with special attention to the role that China plays in this book and the author's theory. Vergleichungen is written by J.H.G. Justi and published in 1762. Justi was a German political and economic thinker who had a significant influence in this area, especially in Germany and Austria. Many of his books were very important in the economic and political debate of that time, but Vergleichungen did not attract much attention. However, I am of the opinion that Vergleichungen is a very original and interesting book since it is a fundamental critique of Eurocentrism, written at a time when Eurocentrism was on the rise in Europe. In Vergleichungen, Justi gives extensive examples of the state institutions, characteristics, etc. of non-European countries, compares them to the state institutions, characteristics, etc. in Europe, and then concludes that...Show moreThis thesis examines different aspects of Vergleichungen der Europäischen mit den Asiatischen und andern vermeintlich Barbarischen Regierungen, with special attention to the role that China plays in this book and the author's theory. Vergleichungen is written by J.H.G. Justi and published in 1762. Justi was a German political and economic thinker who had a significant influence in this area, especially in Germany and Austria. Many of his books were very important in the economic and political debate of that time, but Vergleichungen did not attract much attention. However, I am of the opinion that Vergleichungen is a very original and interesting book since it is a fundamental critique of Eurocentrism, written at a time when Eurocentrism was on the rise in Europe. In Vergleichungen, Justi gives extensive examples of the state institutions, characteristics, etc. of non-European countries, compares them to the state institutions, characteristics, etc. in Europe, and then concludes that the institutions, characteristics, etc. of non-European countries function better than their counterparts in Europe, and that it would, therefore, be beneficial for European countries if they would introduce these institutions, characteristics, etc. in Europe. Of these non-European countries, Justi was especially interested in China as an example for Europe. This thesis will examine the different aspects that have been important for the creation of Vergleichungen, and will discuss whether Vergleichungen is unique or not. The different aspects will include Justi’s own opinion, the structure of Vergleichungen, from whom and which works Justi obtained his information about China and by whom he was influenced to write Vergleichungen, what Justi wanted to achieve with it and what he achieved, and why his other books attracted more attention.Show less

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The Creation of Justi’s Vergleichungen and the Role that China Played in it