Sovereignty and Authenticity: Manchukuo and the East Asian Modern

by Prasenjit Duara

In this powerful and provocative book, Prasenjit Duara uses the case of Manchukuo, the Japanese puppet state in northeast China from 1932-1945, to explore how such antinomies as imperialism and nationalism, modernity and tradition, and governmentality and exploitation interacted in the post-World War I period. His study of Manchukuo, which had a population of 40 million and was three times the area of Japan, catalyzes a broader understanding of new global trends that characterized much of the twentieth century. Asking why Manchukuo so desperately sought to appear sovereign, Duara examines the cultural and political resources it mobilized to make claims of sovereignty.

He argues that Manchukuo, as a transparently constructed "nation-state," offers a unique historical laboratory for examining the utilization and transformation of circulating global forces mediated by the "East Asian modern." Sovereignty and AUthenticity not only shows how Manchukuo drew technologies of modern nationbuilding from China and Japan, but it provides a window into how some of these techniques and processes were obscured or naturalized in the more successful East Asian nation-states. With its sweepingly original theoretical and comparative perspectives on nationalism and imperialism, this book will be essential reading for all those interested in contemporary history.

Genres: History, China, Japan, Japanese History, Asia, Nonfiction, Politics

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2003

Reviews

[Anthony Caruso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read reviews commenting on Duara's writing style as being overly academic and difficult to understand. I didn't think this would be a problem because of how much academic books I've been reading lately.

I was wrong. This book was so painful to read and not really worth the effort solely because of his writing style. Maybe if I revisit it one day my ideas will change, as writing styles like this might be less annoying with age. That being said, the argument is interesting (except the last chapter that explored literature...didn't care too much for that one) and well explored.

Edit---
Bumped up from 2 stars to 4.

My initial reaction was filled with salt, as I was forced to sit through Duara's prose. However, the argument is nuanced and thoughtful. It's very much worth the read if you are interested in Sino-Japanese relations over Manchuria. I think his approach to show that Manchukuo is not solely the puppet-empire historiography paints it to be is very intriguing. Instead, we are given insight into how individuals benefited from the Japanese and how the Japanese erected various forms of 'authenticity' to justify their claim over Manchuria. You really just need to push through the erudite writing style though....this is VERY MUCH an academic book (written by an academic for academics, with little to no interest in catering to the general audience).

[Eudokia Larasati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a solid idea behind it, but often strays from the main topic a little. Some of the chapters end on a short notice without explaining further the ideas laid out. Rather chock full of 2000s social science jargon, so might be annoying for some, but still a good book about the Manchukuo project.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rare readable book w

[Drew Tschirki · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book with compelling arguments, though quite theory heavy.

[Benemint · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like his arguments and theoretical implications of Manchukuo. But it takes a lot of patience to read his chapters. He's not an intriguing writer. If it was a surprisingly nice read, I would give 5 stars for the content.

[Andrew Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

In addition to its empire-building, what attracts me most is the transcendence of the redemptive societies under the control of the puppet Manchukuo. For these redemptive societies, the Way (Tao) is the only final target. The regime could ONLY be a tool, or even worse, a stage.

[Chelsea Szendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm new to colonial studies, so either because of that or in spite of it I was really impressed with this book. Duara made me feel like the global implications of Manchukuo were really important.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweeping, if dry, survey of one of the more bizarre nation building efforts of the twentieth century. And a fair account of something which had a bright side as well as a dark side.