Cosmopolitanism, Nationalism, and Individualism in Modern China : The Chenbao Fukan and the New Culture Era, 1918–1928

Cosmopolitanism, Nationalism, and Individualism in Modern China analyzes important aspects of Chinese intellectual life and cultural practices that formed and informed the historical phenomenon known as the New Culture era. Through examining an influential newspaper supplement published in Beijing during 1918-1928, along with other contemporary sources, the book explores the full dimensions and rich textures of the intellectual-literary discourses of the time period and contributes to a re-consideration and re-appreciation of the New Culture phenomenon in modern China. It highlights a key intellectual-moral paradox in Chinese discourses between cosmopolitanism as an idealistic aspiration and nationalism as a practical imperative, both in complex relationship to individualism, a paradox that ultimately speaks to the constant negotiations between Chinese tradition and Western culture in the making of Chinese modernity. These issues have remained vitally relevant to China and the world nearly a century later. Cosmopolitanism, Nationalism, and Individualism in Modern China explores Chinese intellectual life and cultural practices in the New Culture era of modern China by examining an influential newspaper supplement published in Beijing during 1918-1928, as well as other contemporary sources. Xu highlights a key intellectual-moral paradox in Chinese discourses between cosmopolitanism as an idealistic aspiration and nationalism as a practical imperative, both in complex relationship to individualism, and in constant negotiations between Chinese tr undefined Title Page 2 Preface 7 Introduction 10 Social Agendas and Personal Tastes 27 Cosmopolitanism, Nationalism, and Colonial Hierarchy 59 Individual Cosmopolitans and Cultural Capital 93 Placing China in the World of Colonial Hierarchy 133 Cultural Legacy and Scientific Methods 163 Life, Love, and Nation 202 Conclusion 232 Appendix: Names and Terms 236 References 246 Index 256 About the Author 264