Governing China: 150-1850

(Hardback)

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Description

Governing China looks at Chinese history over the course of 1700 years, (150-1850), from the perspective of governance as a barometer and determinant of a societies well-being. The book includes timelines, maps, and an introduction comparing China in 150 to China in 1850, and is then divided chronologically into four parts: Part I - From Fragmentation to Reunification; Part 2 - Imperial Grandeur and its Aftermath, 589-907; Part 3 - The Tripartition of China, 960-1279; Part 4 - Permanent Unity Largely Achieved: Yuan, Ming, and Qing

Reviews

"This compact narrative history of government institutions and their dialectical relation to society makes a perfect introduction to traditional China for political science, modern history, and comparative politics classes. The thesis, upheld by both specifics in lively prose and thought-provoking cross-period comparisons, is that unity, however valorized, always required hard work: military, political, and cultural creativity amidst ever-changing ethnic, class, and religious formations. Dardess also washes out old libels on non-Han, female, and eunuch power holders simply by recounting the facts." -- S Schneewind, University of California, San Diego

Author Bio

John W. Dardess is Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Kansas.