China and Postsocialist Anthropology

by Andrew B. Kipnis

China and Postsocialist Anthropology is a sophisticated and insightful analysis of post-socialist regimes, seen through the prism of the Chinese case. Kipnis is a highly conceptual anthropologist, very well versed in social-science theory, who has also an in-depth, on-the-ground knowledge of China. His training and expertise are augmented by the fact he is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. In this important book, Kipnis presents cogent analyses of post-socialist power relations, post-Marxian social theory, neo-liberalism and neo-leftists in China, the reshaping of citizenship, together with a range of related topics. This volume will be of considerable value to comparative social scientists, his fellow anthropologists, specialists in socialist and post-socialist regimes and societies, and social theorists.

269 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008