Solicitation and Donation: A Discussion of the Ways to Raise Private Funds for Bridge Construction in the Southern Regions of the Song Dynasty

Abstract

As important infrastructure, bridges are public resources that the government should provide. The view that the “government is in charge of bridges and roads” was clearly put forward in the Song Dynasty. In the practice of primary-level social governance in the Song Dynasty, however, local finances were generally tight under the impact of the trend of financial centralization. As a result, the construction funds for many public infrastructure projects, including bridges and roads, were mainly raised from the private sector. Especially in the southern water towns where there were many bridges, private wealth was the most important source of bridge construction funds. Private funds were incorporated into the construction funds mainly by three means: officials soliciting donations, monks collecting donations, and donations from wealthy families. It was with the integration and support of private wealth that the bridge construction in the southern water towns maintained a good development momentum for a long time in the Song Dynasty.

Keywords

Song Dynasty / southern regions / private funds / bridge construction

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 Higher Education Press