The Rise and Fall of Imperial China: The Social Origins of State Development (Princeton Studies in Contemporary China, 13)

Name: The Rise and Fall of Imperial China: The Social Origins of State Development (Princeton Studies in Contemporary China, 13)
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Book Synopsis: How social networks shaped the imperial Chinese state.

China was the world’s leading superpower for almost two millennia, falling behind only in the last two centuries and now rising to dominance again. What factors led to imperial China’s decline? The Rise and Fall of Imperial China offers a systematic look at the Chinese state from the seventh century through to the twentieth. Focusing on how short-lived emperors often ruled a strong state while long-lasting emperors governed a weak one, Yuhua Wang shows why lessons from China’s history can help us better understand state building.

Wang argues that Chinese rulers faced a fundamental trade-off that he calls the sovereign’s dilemma: a coherent elite that could collectively strengthen the state could also overthrow the ruler. This dilemma emerged because strengthening state capacity and keeping rulers in power for longer required different social networks in which central elites were embedded. Wang examines how these social networks shaped the Chinese state, and vice versa, and he looks at how the ruler’s pursuit of power by fragmenting the elites became the final culprit for China’s fall.

Drawing on more than a thousand years of Chinese history, The Rise and Fall of Imperial China highlights the role of elite social relations in influencing the trajectories of state development.

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Discover the secrets behind the rise and fall of Imperial China with "The Rise and Fall of Imperial China" book. Unveiling the captivating story of the world's leading superpower for almost two millennia, this book explores the factors that led to China's decline and eventual rise to dominance again. With a systematic look at the Chinese state from the seventh century to the twentieth, this book offers valuable insights into state building.

Author Yuhua Wang presents a groundbreaking theory known as the sovereign's dilemma, which delves into the trade-off faced by Chinese rulers. As this theory suggests, the pursuit of a strong state often posed the risk of overthrowing the ruler. Wang explores how this fundamental dilemma shaped the course of Chinese history, shedding light on the intriguing connection between social networks and state development.

By examining over a thousand years of Chinese history, "The Rise and Fall of Imperial China" paints a vivid picture of elite social relations and their influence on the trajectory of the Chinese state. Gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of state governance and leadership while unraveling the enigmatic story of China's rise and fall.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Imperial China. Enhance your knowledge of state development and uncover the hidden mechanisms that shaped one of the most influential civilizations in history. Purchase "The Rise and Fall of Imperial China" today and embark on an enlightening journey through the captivating realms of Chinese history.

Ready to discover the secrets of Imperial China? Purchase "The Rise and Fall of Imperial China" now!

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