Individual Choice and State-Led Nationalist Mobilization in China [electronic resource] : Self-interested Patriots /
Zha, Wen.author.
This book presents a comparative historical analysis of state-led nationalist movements in Chinese history, which counters current claims that popular nationalism in present-day China is strong enough to sustain costly expansionist wars. Popular nationalism in China has been on the rise since the early 1990s to the concern of many observers. Some have even asked whether China will become another Germany. A comparative historical analysis of pre-war and wartime nationalist mobilization helps us better understand how individuals formulate their opinions under extreme conditions. It concludes that the public's weak perception of foreign threats, taken together with pro-minority domestic institutions, may significantly undermine the state’s efforts at nationalist mobilization and thus limit its capability to pursue external expansion or other strategic goals.
Description based upon print version of record.
Acknowledgments; Contents; Figure; Tables; 1 Introduction; 1.1 The Argument: Individual Choice and State Accumulation; 1.2 Conceptualization and Operationalization; 1.2.1 Outcomes of Mobilization; 1.2.2 Perception of Foreign Threats; 1.2.3 Domestic Institutions; 1.3 Case Selection; 1.4 Nationalism in Present-Day China; 1.5 Book Organization; References; 2 Explaining State-Led Nationalist Movements: Individual Choice and State Mobilization; 2.1 Situating the Theory; 2.1.1 Rational Elites, Emotional Masses; 2.1.2 Is a Mass-Based Instrumentalist Explanation Possible?
2.1.3 Self-interests and Group Interests2.2 Explaining Mass Nationalist Movements; 2.2.1 Assumptions; 2.2.2 Why Does Nationalism Matter?; 2.2.3 Explaining Participation: What Motivates Individuals to Participate?; 2.2.3.1 Protection; 2.2.3.2 Immediate Economic Payoffs; 2.2.3.3 Future Economic Payoffs; 2.2.4 Explaining Mobilization; 2.2.5 Bringing the Two Components Together; 2.2.5.1 Strong Threat Perceptions, Pro-majority Institutions, and Successful Mobilization; 2.2.5.2 Strong Threat Perceptions, Pro-minority/Pro-state Institutions, and the Limited Success of Mobilization
2.2.5.3 Weak Threat Perceptions, Pro-majority Institutions, and the Limited Success of Mobilization2.2.5.4 Weak Threat Perceptions, Pro-minority/Pro-state Institutions, and Failed Mobilization; 2.3 Alternative Explanations; 2.3.1 Cultural Symbols; 2.3.2 Ethnic Animosities; 2.4 Conclusion; References; 3 The New Life Movement in Jiangxi: Weak Threat Perceptions, Pro-minority Institutions, and the Limits of Nationalism; 3.1 Is the New Life Movement a Nationalist Movement?; 3.1.1 The Rationale of the New Life Movement: From Daily Habits to National Revival; 3.1.2 Cleaning Up Cities
3.1.3 Rehabilitating the Rural Areas3.2 Assessing the Outcome of New Life Mobilization; 3.2.1 Agricultural Production; 3.2.2 State Accumulation; 3.2.3 Cleanliness and Orderliness; 3.3 The Public's Weak Perception of Foreign Threats; 3.3.1 Nationalist Mobilization Without a Foreign Enemy; 3.3.2 Effects on Mobilization; 3.3.2.1 The Urban Areas; 3.3.2.2 The Rural Areas; 3.4 The Restoration of Pro-minority Institutions; 3.4.1 Returning the Land to the Original Owners; 3.4.2 Effects on Mobilization; 3.5 Alternative Explanations; 3.5.1 Policy Implementation by Local Officials
3.5.2 Domestic Contenders3.5.3 The Superficiality of the New Life Movement; 3.5.4 Top-Down Model; 3.5.5 Customs and Cultural Symbols; 3.6 Conclusion; References; 4 Sichuan During the Sino-Japanese War: Strong Threat Perceptions, Pro-minority Institutions, and the Limited Success of Nationalist Mobilization; 4.1 The Outcome of Nationalist Mobilization: A Limited Success; 4.1.1 Industrial and Agricultural Production; 4.1.2 State Accumulation; 4.1.3 Conscription; 4.2 Strong Perception of Foreign Threats and Mass Participation; 4.2.1 The Industrial Relocation at the Onset of the War
4.2.1.1 Foreign Threats and State Protection as a Selective Incentive
Includes bibliographical references and index at the end of each chapters.
This book presents a comparative historical analysis of state-led nationalist movements in Chinese history, which counters current claims that popular nationalism in present-day China is strong enough to sustain costly expansionist wars. Popular nationalism in China has been on the rise since the early 1990s to the concern of many observers. Some have even asked whether China will become another Germany. A comparative historical analysis of pre-war and wartime nationalist mobilization helps us better understand how individuals formulate their opinions under extreme conditions. It concludes that the public's weak perception of foreign threats, taken together with pro-minority domestic institutions, may significantly undermine the state’s efforts at nationalist mobilization and thus limit its capability to pursue external expansion or other strategic goals.
Political theory.
Political Theory.