I have been working on the history of Sinology recently. I found an article by Maurice Freedman (published 40 years ago!) particularly interesting. 'What Social Science Can Do for Chinese Studies', The Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 23, No. 4, (Aug., 1964), pp. 523-529.
Here quote:
"It is not that the Sinologues are so numerous or brilliant themselves; but they have the advantage of being masters in their own house (and therefore know how to shut the door on unwanted guests) and the privilege of keeping their subject as dull as they think necessary to maintain academic standards and an empire." (p. 523)
