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

by Suisheng Zhao

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.

Genres: China, Nonfiction, History, Politics

372 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Suisheng Zhao (Chinese: 赵穗生) is a Chinese American political scientist currently serving as professor of Chinese politics and foreign policy at the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He directs the school's Center for China–US Cooperation, and is the founding editor and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Contemporary China.

Reviews

[Eric Tsui · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was published on 2004. Chinese nationalism had transformed a lot since then. With a hindsight in 2020, the so-called “liberal nationalist“ were actually transforming itself into assertive, xenophobic statism. State nationalism soon lost its patience, it is no longer pragmatic, and become a sort of imperial with much self-confidence.

The book failed to predict the development from 2010s onwards. I have to say that this book is now obsolete. Don’t waste your time and find something else to read.

[Tom Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible detail in this volume that examines the starts and stops of the Chinese reckoning in the 20th and 21st century. Out of a humiliating century of forced occupation by foreign powers, the spirit of independence could not be denied .