A Nation-State by Construction: Dynamics of Modern Chinese Nationalism [Paperback]

Suisheng Zhao (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0804750017 | ISBN-13: 978-0804750011 | Publication Date: September 8, 2004 | Edition: 1

This is the first historically comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of the causes, content, and consequences of nationalism in China, an ancient empire that has struggled to construct a nation-state and find its place in the modern world. It shows how Chinese political elites have competed to promote different types of nationalism linked to their political values and interests and imposed them on the nation while trying to repress other types of nationalism. In particular, the book reveals how leaders of the PRC have adopted a pragmatic strategy to use nationalism while struggling to prevent it from turning into a menace rather than a prop.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Suisheng Zhao's book is the new standard in the field for studies of Chinese nationalism, is a very important contribution to the comparative politics' nationalism literature in general, and should be a part of the discussion about China's rise given the role of nationalism in debates about Chinese foreign policy."—Journal of Asian Studies

"In this major work, Zhao examines the concept of nationalism in the context of modern Chinese history, exhibiting a total command of a huge body of literature by both Chinese and Western scholars."—Lucien W. Pye, Foreign Affairs

"Zhao's study provides us with a rich and empirically supported nomenclature through which to describe the phenotypical expressions of Chinese nationalism."—H-Net

"Suisheng Zhao adds this thorough and illuminating study to his previous work on the People's Republic of China....Throughout the book Zhao shows an admirable breadth of understanding of both Western and Chinese writings about nationalism."—China Review International

"In this very significant addition to the scholarly literature on Chinese nationalism, Suisheng Zhao provides a lucid and detailed history of the emergence of the idea of the Chinese nation....A Nation State by Construction is an important book. It is based on a wealth of research, and cogently argued."—Asian Studies Review

From the Inside Flap

This is the first historically comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of the causes, content, and consequences of nationalism in China, an ancient empire that has struggled to construct a nation-state and find its place in the modern world. It shows how Chinese political elites have competed to promote different types of nationalism linked to their political values and interests and imposed them on the nation while trying to repress other types of nationalism. In particular, the book reveals how leaders of the PRC have adopted a pragmatic strategy to use nationalism while struggling to prevent it from turning into a menace rather than a prop.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Stanford University Press; 1 edition (September 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804750017
• ISBN-13: 978-0804750011
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #801,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good book., January 7, 2008

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Byungho Lee (Ann Arbor. MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Nation-State by Construction: Dynamics of Modern Chinese Nationalism (Paperback)

I am interested in the historical development of Chinese nationalism and planning to write my dissertation about the concept of nation, state, nationality and ethnicity in modern China.

When I looked up the books on Chinese nationalism, it seems to me that most of them are not deep enough but simply describing contemporary political phenomenon. Those who want to know more than just newspaper information about China and Chinese nationalism, I strongly recommend you to read this book.

Unlike many others, this book is well-written and very informative. More than that, prof. Zhao has very solid theoretical background as well as empirical knowledge. And most of reference are written in Chinese, which means completely unknown to Western world.