中國自秦漢以後，歷代都實施重農抑商政策。由士、農、工、商構成的「四民論」，商恆居於四民之末。有學者認為明清之際，王陽明等儒者提出了四民平等的「新四民論」，商人的社會地位也明顯提昇。實則主張四民平等的言論，在唐宋時期已經出現，而明清之際的「新四民論」，也未能動搖傳統的「四民論」和重農抑商政策。在清朝末期以前，重農抑商思想和政策仍居於主流地位。清廷面對西方國家堅船利礮 的威脅，最初以提昇軍事力量的「自強運動」為對應之策。然因與西方國家進行「兵戰」屢遭挫敗，同時出現嚴重的漏卮問題，重農抑商政策開始受到強烈挑戰。光緒初年，湖廣道監察御史李璠首先提出「商戰」重於「兵戰」的主張，一些思想較新的知識分子，如薛福成、馬建忠、王韜、陳熾、何啟、胡禮垣、鄭觀應、汪康年等，相繼闡發重商議論。尤其是甲午戰爭中國為日本所敗，民族危機感深重，鄭觀應的「商戰論」盛倡於一時。清廷在內外交逼之下，不得不改採重商政策，以挽救危局。傳1統的重農抑商政策和「四民論」至此始發生根本性的改變。由工商致富的商人活躍於各個層面，也使中國的社會結構發生重大變化。本文從思想和政策面分析這個重要的歷史轉變。

From the Qin-Han through the Qing dynasties, China consistently practiced the policy of encouraging agriculture while restraining commerce. The “Four Peoples Thesis,” which stated that persons were divided according to social function—gentry/scholar, peasantry, artisans, and merchants—attributed inferior status to merchants. This thought was generally accepted by both officialdom and the populace. However, since the Tang and Song dynasties, some scholars expressed dissent. During the Ming and Qing period, Wang Yangming and others went further and proposed the equality of the Four Peoples, with the hope that this tradition would be changed. But this “New Four Peoples Thesis” had little effect on the subsequent development of industry and commerce. It was not until the second half of the nineteenth century, when China faced powerful threats from the West and Japan, that intellectuals realized the importance of “commercial war,” which really shook their faith in the “Four Peoples Thesis.” In order to overcome this crisis, the Qing government had to establish new policies to encourage commerce, resulting in enhancing the status of businessmen and merchants.