The Productivity Level of the Song Dynasty

Abstract

Any investigation of society’s historical development should begin with the fundamental issue of productivity level. The Song witnessed at least 45 new advances in production technologies, items and tools, of which at least 15 took place in agriculture and 30 in handicraft. Although the Song surpassed previous dynasties in overall productivity, it was also affected by a number of limitations, seven of which were particularly relevant to productivity level. With the exception of agricultural technology and firearms, the Ming and Qing failed to make major breakthroughs in the remaining five fields. Although these dynasties outperformed the Song in terms of total productivity and technology, particularly in the introduction of crops, they fell behind in productivity per capita and quality of growth, due to the population boom and the stagnation and even regression of farm technologies. Whether compared with previous dynasties or with the Ming and Qing, the Song dynasty saw the zenith of productivity development in ancient China. The level of productivity underlies Song progress and Ming and Qing stagnation, as well as the rise of Europe.