Conservative Thought in Contemporary China

(Paperback)

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Conservative Thought in Contemporary China examines the evolution of conservative politics in China, which has become increasingly present following the death of Mao Zedong in 1978. Peter Moody traces the roots of conservatism through the imperial system, the Republican period, and the pre-Cultural Revolution People's Republic, all of which influence contemporary Chinese politics. The most direct programmatic form of conservativism has been neo-conservativism politics, which formed during the Jiang Zemin regime and persists to the present age in a diluted version. This book demonstrates that conservative thought is a consequence of relatively broad cultural and economic liberty, China's resentment of American arrogance, and a fear of the social turmoil generated as a by-product of liberal economic reforms. Moody critically analyzes the influence of antipolitics and traditional values on the current ideology of Chinese politicians and citizens. Conservative Thought in Contemporary China is a insightful text that will captivate those interested in Chinese studies and political theory.

Reviews

Some chapters in this journeyman-like study might be added to reading lists for undergraduate courses on contemporary Chinese politics. -- 2008 * The China Journal *
A detailed, scholarly investigation of 'conservative' political thought in China, . . . This study is important in mining the many-sided debate in China over values guiding the party-state, and highlighting the ideas of the principal participants in those debates. Highly recommended. * Choice Reviews *

Author Bio

Peter Moody is professor of political science at University of Notre Dame.