Group 1 - Adam Smith's economic ideas initially inspired Chinese intellectuals, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but ultimately did not take root in Chinese academic thought [2][3] - The shift in Chinese economic thought in the 1930s was led by Ma Yinchu, who proposed a balanced approach between free capitalism and Soviet-style socialism in his work "Economic Reconstruction of China" [3][5] - The Chinese Economic Society, founded in 1923, evolved to focus on practical economic issues rather than purely theoretical discussions, reflecting the changing priorities of its members [6][7] Group 2 - Ma Yinchu's economic philosophy transitioned from early liberalism to advocating for a "third way" that combined elements of both capitalism and socialism, influenced by the successes and failures of both systems [8][10] - The "third way" was characterized by a recognition of the limitations of extreme capitalism and communism, leading to a call for a mixed economic model that would suit China's unique conditions [9][11] - Ma Yinchu's ideas gained traction among influential figures in the government and business sectors, facilitating discussions on the implementation of controlled economic policies in China [16][17] Group 3 - The concept of "controlled economy" proposed by Ma Yinchu was distinct from Soviet-style planning, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to production and distribution to avoid the pitfalls of both extreme capitalism and communism [14][15] - Ma Yinchu argued that China's socio-economic challenges required a departure from individualism towards a more collective approach, drawing inspiration from Friedrich List's nationalism [11][12] - The rapid acceptance of Ma Yinchu's "third way" among Chinese intellectuals and policymakers was evident in the discussions and resolutions of the Chinese Economic Society and its influence on national economic policies [17][18]