The Debate on Salt and Iron

In ancient China, Wu Emperor prepared a new tool to raise funds. He established a monopoly on the production and sale of salt and iron by the government. These products were previously manufactured and sold by private companies. Emperor Wu also established government exclusivity in grain trading. Government food agencies purchase food at low cost places and ship to more expensive areas. A government food agency also buys cereals in relatively cheap years and sells it at a relatively high price. The purpose of the institution is not only to make profits for the government but also to prevent personal pursuit of speculative interests. In addition, the government imposes consumption tax on alcohol.

Wu emperor died in 87 BC and in about six years his successor appealed to the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister to oppose Emperor Kure 's policy to discuss these issues.

The record of discussion has been announced and published as. This argument is a valuable window for the ancient Chinese social philosophy and public policy creed.

For modern economic analysis of social losses associated with creating protected monopolies, see monopoly.

One of the aspects of time that I think in 81 BC is the general distrust of the private market and the pursuit of profits. This kind of idea is very close to the beliefs of socialist countries of the 20th century. Collectiveist intellectuals regard this kind of dialogue in feudalism and tribalism as so-called modern socialism and some premature aging of these underdeveloped societies. Indeed, it proves the feudal nature of socialism more.

The Confucian support of folk economy was thoroughly explained in the famous "salt and iron theory" written before Han Dynasty. This book documents a discussion between economic and financial measures adopted by Confucian scholars and legal personnel in 81 BC. It occurred six years after the death of the very ambitious Wu Emperor of the Han Dynasty. Legal persons support government monopolies in important modern industries such as salt, iron, alcohol, money and government transactions. They believe that government control over these industries is necessary to secure government income and maintain a defensive war against the xun-nu tribe being threatened by the empire. In addition, according to these lawyers, by directly owning and operating these industries, the government can protect people from the exploitation of private businessmen and companies.

Upon completion, the student will read "Salt and Iron Discussion Records" alone - the source of discussion among Confucian scholars on the effectiveness of the government monopolizing the salt and iron industry. After reading, students will explain by pairing and writing the relationship between culture, government and the economy. Educational activities: based on the interpretation of the Roman Empire Chapter 11, students use pairs of model of previous activities in pairs and specify how the Roman government created and managed the apparent Roman Empire. In the "capital", I draw the image of the Senate, explain how the history of democracy in Rome affects the Roman Empire, in the realm of the empire, in drawing the image of the family and maintaining the order of the empire I will explain the role of my parents. ;