Chinese Professionals and the Republican State: The Rise of Professional Associations in Shanghai, 1912-1937

by Xiaoqun Xu

Overview

Xiaoqun Xu makes a compelling and original contribution to the study of China's modernization with this study of the rise of professional associations in Republican China, in their birthplace of Shanghai, and of their political and socio-cultural milieus. Xu addresses a central issue in China studies, the relationship between state and society, and proposes an alternative to the Western-derived concept of civil society. This book illuminates the multidimensional complexity of modernization and nationalism in twentieth-century China, and provides a concrete case for comparative studies of professionalization and class formation across cultures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521027892
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/02/2006
Series:	Cambridge Modern China Series
Edition description:	1ST
Pages:	348
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.79(d)
Lexile:	1660L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

List of tables; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations of frequently cited sources; Introduction; Part I. Professions and Professionals: 1. Professions in early-twentieth-century Shanghai; 2. Professionals as urban middle class; Conclusion to part I; Part II. Social Institutions, State Actions, and Professionalization: 3. The Republican State and urban associations; 4. The Republican State and the legal profession; 5. The Republican State and the medical profession; Conclusion to part II; Part III. Professionalism, Nationalism, and Politics: 6. From 'literary men' to professionals: Shanghai journalists; 7. National essence versus science: the medical profession in conflict; 8. Professionalism and nationalism: the Shanghai Bar Association (I); 9. Professionalism and politics: the Shanghai Bar Association (II); Conclusion to part III; Conclusion; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"In this book, the author examines an important, but overlooked, group in modern urban Chinese society, the middle class...the book is well written and well edited." The Historian

From the Publisher