Restless China - Paperback

by Perry Link (Editor), Richard P. Madsen (Editor), Paul G. Pickowicz (Editor)

This compelling book explores the explosive pace of change in China and how its citizens are grappling with a dramatically new world, both in the public and private spheres. There is enormous popular pride in the ascension of China to the rank of global superpower and general satisfaction in the material benefits that the poor as well as the rich have been gaining from an expanding economy. But there is also great restlessness, anger about structural injustice and political corruption, and a search for new forms of spirituality and ethics to replace a collapsing moral order. The question "What does it mean, in the new day, to be Chinese?" lurks just beneath the surface. This unique interdisciplinary book frames this central issue through an innovative set of case studies on such cutting-edge topics as reality dating shows, countercultural invented language, star bloggers, faith healers, and subversive jokes.

Author Biography

Perry Link is Emeritus Professor of East Asian Studies at Princeton University and Chancellorial Chair for Teaching Across Disciplines, University of California, Riverside. Richard P. Madsen is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the University of California, San Diego. Paul G. Pickowicz is Distinguished Professor of History and Chinese Studies at the University of California, San Diego, and inaugural holder of the UC San Diego Endowed Chair in Modern Chinese History.