This insightful book draws upon a wide range of disciplines - political economy, geography and international relations - to examine how Asia has returned to its central position in the world economy.

As in the case of the hosting of the Olympic games, it is cities rather than states which compete, whether as financial centers, logistical hubs or platforms for coordinating international subcontracting. Analyzing the historical precedents of the Mediterranean maritime republics, the Baltic Sea Hanseatic League and the South China Sea mercantile kingdoms, the book delineates the way stable economic and legal institutions were developed largely beyond the purview of, and at times in conflict with, the State. Discussing the strong link between history and contemporary economic situation, The Asian Mediterranean will appeal to academics, including post-graduates students, of economics, geography, history, regional studies and Asian studies.

作者简介

作者：（法国）弗朗索瓦·吉普鲁（Fraancois Gipouloux） 译者：龚华燕 龙雪飞

弗朗索瓦·吉普鲁（Fraancois Gipouloux）教授为研究中国经济的专家，法国国家科学研究中心主任。先后毕业于巴黎第七大学、北京语言学院、北京大学，曾任法国驻中国大使馆商务副专员、香港特区法国现代中国研究中心（CEFC）研究员等多项职务。目前主持法国国家科学研究院（CNRS）与东京大学共同支持的《人文社会科学的比较方法》研究计划，同时也负责法国国家研究署（ANR）支持的《东亚与东南亚的国际贸易中心》研究计划。已出版的书籍有：《19与20世纪的东亚》《衰退的日本？》《迈向市场经济的中围：改革时代的长征》等。