Abstract: Proposed in 1859 by Karl Marx in order to characterize India, the concept of an Asiatic mode of production was widened to explain the whole Asia stagnation in the 19th century. Severely criticized for political reasons during the 20th century, its economic relevance was rarely put into question. Indeed, in China’s case, economic growth is frequently impeded by local governments actions, what could, at least in part, rehabilitate Marx’s analysis.
