Navigating Sovereignty: World Politics Lost in China (Comparative Perspectives on Modern Asia)

In this book, the author undertakes a postcolonial analysis of identities the Chinese state uses to confront world politics and globalization. Because these identities are created at the confluence of Western modernity and Confucian tradition, two elements that are continually reinterpreted themselves, the result is an ambiguity regarding the identities best suited to explain Chinese behavior. The author argues that this uncertainty is not a new condition but one that reaches back to end of the nineteenth century. It is by understanding this ambiguity surrounding identities that will in turn help present -day authorities predict the future course of Chinese behavior in world politics. In This Book, The Author Undertakes A Postcolonial Analysis Of Identities The Chinese State Uses To Confront World Politics And Globalization. Because These Identities Are Created At The Confluence Of Western Modernity And Confucian Tradition, Two Elements That Are Continually Reinterpreted Themselves, The Result Is An Ambiguity Regarding The Identities Best Suited To Clarify Chinese Behavior. The Author Argues That This Uncertainty Is Not A New Condition But One That Reaches Back To The End Of The 19th Century. It Is By Understanding This Ambiguity Surrounding Identities That Will In Turn Help Present-day Authorities Envisage The Future Course Of Chinese Behavior In World Politics. This Unique Analysis Of Chinese Politics Offers A Substantial New Way Of Understanding China's Movements Within The World Arena, Making It A Valuable Resource For All China Watchers.--jacket. The Postmodern Clue : Defining China As An Alterity -- The Orientalist Clue : Equalizing The Counter-state -- The Nationalist Clue : Defending People's Heart -- The Rational Choice Clue : Curing Epistemological Amnesia -- The Postcolonial Clue : Bringing Japan Back In -- The Globalization Clue : Estranging The Parttime Self -- The Confucian Clue : Practicing Anti-negotiation Toward Taiwan. By Chih-yu Shih. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [195]-210) And Index. China being a sovereign state means something quite different (potentially to anyone) from, say, the Unites States being a sovereign state.