“变法大纲”中的货币设计——《盛世危言》“铸银”篇探析

A Monetary Design in the Reform Outline: Exploring the Chapter “Coining Silver” of the Book “Warnings to the Prosperous Age”

郑观应在其名著《盛世危言》中专辟"铸银"一篇,探讨中国的货币独立和统一问题。在全面之利弊分析的基础上,"铸银"篇提出了中国应自铸银币的主张,并作出了较为系统的政策规划与体制设计,从而对晚清中国追求货币统一与独立的艰难努力,起到了重要的思想指导作用和舆论推动作用。

Zheng Guanying＇s well known book ＂Warnings to the Prosperous Age＂ sets a particular chapter ＂Coining Silver＂ discussing the topic of China＇s monetary independence in Late Qing Dynasty. Foreign silver dollars floods in China＇s market and harms China＇s national interests. Coining China＇s own silver dollars would benefit China much. Based on the cost-benefit analysis, the chapter raises an opinion that China should coin silver dollars of, by and for its own. Furthermore, he systematically and structurally depicts a practical policy design for Qing dynamic government to carry on his proposition. Zheng＇s silver coining thought at that time plays an important role as an academic guidance and an encouragement force to the public opinion. This paper integrates, analyzes and interprets Zheng＇s coining silver thought and indicates its modern value and utilitarian significance. It is the only research work so far in the world about Zheng＇s coining silver thought.