The Mechanism of Cross-Ethnic Social Capital Accumulation in Qing Dynasty Beijing Merchants' Guildhalls

Hanyue Zhang; Ke Chao; Yuzhuo Li; Qiuxun Wang; Juntong Hao

doi:10.54691/de55fk21

Authors

Hanyue Zhang
Ke Chao
Yuzhuo Li
Qiuxun Wang
Juntong Hao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/de55fk21

Keywords:

Qing Dynasty, Beijing merchants, guildhalls, social capital, cross-ethnic cooperation.

Abstract

During the Qing Dynasty, Beijing served as the national capital and a hub of commercial activity, attracting merchants from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This paper explores the mechanisms through which merchants' guildhalls in Beijing facilitated the accumulation of cross-ethnic social capital, enabling trust-building, resource-sharing, and collective action among Han, Manchu, Mongol, and Hui merchants. By analyzing historical records and commercial practices, this study highlights how guildhalls functioned as platforms for intercultural negotiation, ritualized interaction, and institutionalized cooperation. It argues that these organizations were crucial in mitigating ethnic tensions and fostering a cohesive commercial culture. The findings suggest that the social capital accumulated through these guildhalls contributed significantly to the stability and prosperity of Beijing's urban economy.

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