The Struggle for Tiananmen: Anatomy of the 1989 Mass Movement [Hardcover]

Nan Lin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275936562 | ISBN-13: 978-0275936563 | Publication Date: December 30, 1992

This work examines the environment and events of the spring 1989 Tiananmen Square tragedy. The author argues that the mass movement, which climaxed in Beijing, can be understood only if attention is given to the external environment that provided both opportunities and constraints to the interactions of participating groups, to the shifting participants and their goals and interests, and to the historical and cultural factors which guided the behavior of those participants (on both the student and government sides). Unlike other works on this topic, The Struggle for Tiananmen describes and analyzes the movement from its inception to its end--presenting the entire process, providing information from both the authorities and non-student participants, identifying the interactions between external events and the movement, and placing the particular event in the larger context of social movements. This work will be of interest to scholars and laymen alike in contemporary history, Chinese studies, sociology, and political science.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Numerous works on the 1989 Tiananmen massacre have been published, but sociologist Lin analyzes the democracy movement from a different perspective. Contextualizing the event, he concentrates upon the "external environment" that turned the initial student protest into a mass movement. In this slim book, the author provides a clear and concise analysis of the reforms launched by Deng Xiaoping since 1980 and traces the economic, social, and political consequences that resulted in discontent among the Chinese people. The massacre at Tiananmen is seen as a social movement involving multiple parties and various interest groups interacting dynamically with one another. Each chapter is succinctly and smoothly delivered, but as a whole, the book lacks focus because the author aims to please a wide spectrum of readers. Recommended for academic libraries.
- Mark Meng, St. John's Univ. Lib., New York
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Her research and sourcing are excellent.”–Choice

“Numerous works on the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre have been published, but sociologist Lin analyses the democracy movement from a different perspective. Contextualizing the event, he concentrates upon the "external environment" that turned the initial student protest into a mass movement. In this slim book, the author provides a clear and concise analysis of the reforms launched by Deng Xiaoping since 1980 and traces the economic, social, and political consequences that resulted in discontent among the Chinese people. The massacre at Tiananmen is seen as a social movement involving multiple parties and various interest groups interacting dynamically with one another. Each chapter is succinctly and smoothly delivered, but as a whole, the book lacks focus because the author aims to please a wide spectrum of readers. Recommended for academic libraries.”–Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (December 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275936562
• ISBN-13: 978-0275936563
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,801,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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