Political competition, innovation and growth in the history of Asian civilizations

"Do political decentralisation and interstate competition favour innovation and growth? There has long been a lively debate surrounding this question, going back to David Hume and Immanuel Kant. This book is a new attempt to test its veracity." "Addressing a wide readership, this book will hold strong appeal for scholars and researchers of general, Asian and economic history, political economy, political science and sociology."--Jacket.