Merchant princes of the east

the long version

Merchant Princes of the East is an original and searching analysis of the economic success of Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Focusing on companies, associations, social relationships and markets, this book challenges cultural explanations of that success. It is suggested that values, institutions and actions often interpreted and presented as definitive components of Chinese 'culture' are not peculiar or unique to Overseas Chinese, and may also be turned against material progress. The final chapter draws upon the arguments developed earlier in the book to consider the significance of the links between China and the Overseas Chinese both for China and for the Far East as a whole.