After empire : the conceptual transformation of the Chinese state : 1885-1924

From 1885–1924, China underwent a period of acute political struggle and cultural change, brought on by a radical change in thought: after over 2,000 years of monarchical rule, the Chinese people stopped believing in the emperor. These forty years saw the collapse of Confucian political orthodoxy and the struggle among competing definitions of modern citizenship and the state. What made it possible to suddenly imagine a world without the emperor? __After Empire__ traces the formation of the modern Chinese idea of the state through the radical reform programs of the late Qing (1885–1911), the Revolution of 1911, and the first years of the Republic through the final expulsion of the last emperor of the Qing from the Forbidden City in 1924. It contributes to longstanding debates on modern Chinese nationalism by highlighting the evolving ideas of major political thinkers and the views reflected in the general political culture. Zarrow uses a wide range of sources to show how "statism" became a hegemonic discourse that continues to shape China today. Essential to this process were the notions of citizenship and sovereignty, which were consciously adopted and modified from Western discourses on legal theory and international state practices on the basis of Chinese needs and understandings. This text provides fresh interpretations and keen insights into China's pivotal transition from dynasty to republic. From 1885 To 1924, China Underwent A Period Of Acute Political Struggle And Cultural Change, Brought On By A Radical Shift In Thought: After More Than Two Thousand Years Of Monarchical Rule, The Chinese People Stopped Believing In The Emperor. These Four Decades Saw The Collapse Of Confucian Political Orthodoxy And The Struggle Among Competing Definitions Of Modern Citizenship And The State. What Conditions Made This Drastic Reimagining Suddenly Possible? After Empire Traces The Formation Of The Modern Chinese Idea Of The State Through The Radical Reform Programs Of The Late Qing, The Revolution Of 1911, And The First Years Of The Republic Through The Final Expulsion Of The Last Qing Emperor In 1924. It Contributes To Longstanding Debates On Modern Chinese Nationalism By Highlighting The Evolving Ideas Of Major Political Thinkers And The Views Reflected In The General Political Culture. Zarrow Uses A Wide Range Of Sources To Show How 'statism' Became A Hegemonic Discourse That Continues To Shape China Today. Essential To This Process Were The Notions Of Citizenship And Sovereignty, Which Were Consciously Adopted And Modified From Western Discourses On Legal Theory And International State Practices On The Basis Of Chinese Needs And Understandings ... This Text Provides Fresh Interpretations And Keen Insights Into China's Pivotal Transition From Dynasty To Republic.--page 4 Of Cover. Kang Youwei's Philosophy Of Power And The 1898 Reform Movement -- Liang Qichao And The Citizen-state -- Sovereignty And The Translated State -- Voices Of Receding Reaction -- Identity, History, And Revolution -- Restoration And Revolution -- Founding The Republic Of China -- The Last Emperors. Peter Zarrow. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 353-376) And Index. After Empire offers a new analysis of how Chinese thinkers constructed a modern constitutional state in place of the age-old imperial state at the turn of the twentieth century, and the revolutionary processes thereby engendered.