Items related to Civilising Citizens in Post-Mao China: Understanding...

Civilising Citizens in Post-Mao China: Understanding the Rhetoric of Suzhi (Routledge Contemporary China Series) - Softcover

Book 163 of 233: Routledge Contemporary China

Lin, Delia

 
9780367172633: Civilising Citizens in Post-Mao China: Understanding the Rhetoric of Suzhi (Routledge Contemporary China Series)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0367172631 ISBN 13: 9780367172633
Publisher: Routledge, 2019

Synopsis

Political discourse in contemporary China is intimately linked to the patriotic reverie of restoring China as a great civilisation, a dream of reformers since the beginning of the twentieth century. The concept and use of suzhi – a term that denotes the idea of cultivating a ‘quality’ citizenship – is central to this programme of rejuvenation, and is enjoying a revival. This book therefore offers an accessible and comprehensive analysis of suzhi, investigating the underlying cultural, philosophical and psychological foundations that propel the suzhi discourse. Using a new method to analyse Chinese governance – one that is both historical and discursive in approach – the book demonstrates how suzhi has been made into a political resource by the Chinese Communist Party-State, journeying from Confucianism to socialism. Ultimately, it asks the question: if we cannot rely on Western models of governance to explain how China is governed, what method of analysis can we use? Making use of over 200 Chinese-language primary sources, the book highlights the link between suzhi and similar discourses in post-Mao China, including those centring on notions of ‘civilisation’, ‘harmonious society’ and the 'China dream'.

As the first book to provide an in-depth study of suzhi and its relevance in Chinese society, Civilising Citizens in Post-Mao China will be useful for students and scholars of Chinese studies, Chinese politics and sociology.

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About the Author

Delia Lin lectures at the School of Social Sciences at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Her research interests include political thought, governance, ideology and discourse.

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Publisher
Routledge
Publication date
2019
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0367172631
ISBN 13 
9780367172633
Binding
Paperback
Edition number
1
Number of pages
204