不和谐音:货币紊乱与近代中国经济、社会民生

Disharmony:Currency Turbulence and Economy in Modern China

1840-1949年,是中国政治动荡、社会极不和谐的历史时期,期间爆发了一系列革命和战争。究其因,除了西学东渐、社会转型带来的文化冲击、制度冲突、社会矛盾激化以外,还由于货币制度没能"配伍得当"。紊乱的货币体系成为近代中国动荡之源,并严重制约着和谐社会的构建。1934年废两改元以前,近代中国两、元并行,银、铜并用的货币体系,提高了交易成本,减缓了商品流转速度,阻碍了经济发展;也给社会民生造成种种不利影响;银价、铜价、物价大幅度变动,更使老百姓深受双重通货膨胀之害。

There happened series of revolution and wars from 1840 to 1949. Besides cultural impact, system conflicts and intensification of social contradiction which were led by social transformation, disordered currency system was an important turbulent factor and it seriously restricted building of a harmony society. The essay examines currency system in modern china and argues that before 1934, currency system comprised tael and coin, and both silver and copper were authorized currency. Therefore, the bargaining cost rose and circulation speed of goods was delayed. Even, it produced inflation with acute change of prices of silver, copper and goods.