INFRASTRUCTURAL GLOBALIZATION: LIGHTING THE CHINA COAST, 1860s–1930s

This article calls for attention to be paid to the infrastructures that underpinned nineteenth-century globalization, and the use of better-known technological developments and global patterns of professional migration. It does so by outlining the work of the Marine Department of the Chinese Maritim...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Historical journal Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 431 - 458
Main Author BICKERS, ROBERT
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge Cambridge University Press 01.06.2013
Subjects
19th century
China
Chinese
Coastal areas
Coasts
Comparative analysis
Customs
Globalization
Government
Government Agencies
Infrastructure
Lighthouses
Maritime history
Migration
Peoples Republic of China
Politics
Public infrastructure
Safety
Services
Technological change
Technology Transfer
China
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Summary:This article calls for attention to be paid to the infrastructures that underpinned nineteenth-century globalization, and the use of better-known technological developments and global patterns of professional migration. It does so by outlining the work of the Marine Department of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service after 1868, focusing on its development of a network of lighthouses along the coast of China in its political and comparative contexts. These lights were at once local sites and nodes within a developing national and global system, and evolving practices around circulation of data and best practice, accepted international standards, technology transfer, and maritime safety. The Customs Service was a Chinese government agency, albeit within the British orbit of influence, but acted as a buffer between China and foreign interests and pressures.
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ISSN:0018-246X
1469-5103
DOI:10.1017/s0018246x13000010