Nation, Governance, and Modernity in China: Canton, 1900-1927This is the first detailed study in English of the city of Canton (Guangzhou), the cradle of the Chinese revolution, in the first quarter of the twentieth century. In retracing various fragments of the city s history in this period, the book argues that modernist politics as practiced by the Nationalists and Communists represented a specific political rationality embedded in the context of a novel conception of the social realm. Modern governments invariably base their claim to legitimacy on the support of society or the people. The mobilization of hitherto disenfranchised constituents into the political process is thus a central component of the nation-state. Modern governments also produce schemes for categorizing and organizing these same constituents to ensure social unity and their base of support. The author analyzes this apparent paradox of modern governance emancipation and discipline as shown in the discourse and practice of Canton elites and the lives of the city s inhabitants. Canton, which witnessed the modernization of both its physical and social structures in the early twentieth century, was the site of the first modernist government in Chinese history. The new governing elites, the Nationalists and Communists, attempted to dissect and classify their constituents into different classes or segments and to transform them into disciplined members of a new body social. Contrary to their expectations, extensive organizational work, though empowering the newly mobilized, did not lead to the formation of a well-ordered society. Instead, it brought into sharp focus the heterogeneity of Canton society and highlighted the impossibility of its analysis and management as a totality. To the dismay of the modernizers, social discipline could be restored only through violence. |
Contents
Social Unity and Modern Governance | 3 |
In the Name of Society | 16 |
Toward Modernity | 74 |
The Contested Nation | 83 |
Privileging Labor | 115 |
The Riddle of Mobilization | 143 |
Epilogue | 177 |
Character List | 183 |
Abbreviations | 191 |
| 237 | |
| 269 | |
Other editions - View all
Nation, Governance, and Modernity in China: Canton, 1900-1927 Michael Tsang-Woon Tsin No preview available - 1999 |
Common terms and phrases
Beijing boycott British Canton Chen Gongbo Chen Huipu Chen Jiongming Chen Lianbo Chiang China Chinese civic cohesive commerce Communist conflict constituents Deng Zhongxia Despite early Republic example force foreign gentry GMGR gonghui gongren Guangdong Guangdong quwei guanyu Guangxi Guangzhou Guangzhou zhi gongye Guangzhoushi Guomindang Guomindang-led government GZWZ Hong Kong Hu Hanmin Huang Huang Yanpei huiyi Ibid imperial industry jingji labor movement labor organizers late Qing leaders Liang Qichao Liao Zhongkai machinists ment Merchant Corps military minguo mobilization modern modernist municipal nation Nationalist Nie Rongzhen official oil-processing percent pickets political PRO/FO province Qing railroad regime Renmin republican Revolution rickshaw pullers Self-Government Association Shameen Shanghai shangtuan shehui shiqi social body society society-and-nation Sun Fo Sun Yat-sen tion unions University Press UOPW Wang Wang Jingwei workers Xiguan Xinhai geming Yueshang zizhihui yundong de baogao Zeng Yangfu Zhang Zhonggong Guangdong quwei Zhongguo Zhonghua ziliao