Social Transformation in Modern China
The State and Local Elites in Henan, 1900–1937

In this book, Xin Zhang sheds light on the sources of China's modernization.

Xin Zhang (Author)

9780521642897, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 September 2000

338 pages, 10 b/w illus. 9 maps 10 tables
23.6 x 16.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.67 kg

"such material provides scholar with significant new information about the history of the past century for almost all parts of China, including many of the most peripheral rural countries...This rewarding study by Xin Zhang is the most recent of these efforts...overall this is a wide-ranging and stimulating exploration of an important topic and a fascinating body of information." THE CHINA JOURNAL

The sources and nature of China's transformation from a traditional to modern society - accelerated in the early twentieth century by the downfall of the Qing dynasty, the advent of foreign technology and increasing commercialization - are critical issues for the study of modern China. In this book, Xin Zhang uses the case of local elites and the power structure of Henan province in north-central China to demonstrate how local politics first transformed local society, challenged the state and eventually influenced change across China. Rather than focusing separately on elite mobility, social mobilization or state-making, Zhang observes changes in all three categories as interrelated aspects of a single, self-generating phenomenon of social change. Zhang's application of social science theory and rich, original, empirical data, sheds light on the sources of China's modernization, political and social identity, and the shifting relationship between the state and local elites.

List of illustrations
List of tables
Acknowledgements
Part I. Introduction: 1. Theoretical context
2. Socioeconomic setting of Henan
Part II. Local Elites and the Transition of Community Power: 3. Local society in transition
4. Elite mobility in a changing world
Part III. Elite Activism and Social Transformation: 5. Society as the organization of networks
6. Local identity, localism, and crisis of legitimacy
Part IV. Modern State Making and the Interaction Between State and Society: 7. State making during the Republican period
8. State and society in mutual engagement
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Cultural studies [JFC], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], Asian history [HBJF]