Rising China and Asian Democratization: Socialization to "Global Culture" in the Political Transformations of Thailand, China, and Taiwan (Contemporary Issues in Asia and the Pacific) - Softcover

Lynch, Daniel C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0804761043 ISBN 13: 9780804761048

Publisher: Stanford University Press, 2008

Synopsis

This book argues that democratization is inherently international: states democratize through a process of socialization to a liberal-rational global culture. This can clearly be seen in Taiwan and Thailand, where the elites and attentive public now accept democracy as universally valid. But in China, the ruling communist party resists democratization, in part because its leaders believe it would lead to China's "permanent decentering" in world history. As China's power increases, the party could begin restructuring global culture by inspiring actors in other Asian countries to uphold or restore authoritarian rule.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

“The book is based on a very rich trove of recent, original research that will interest area specialists. At the same time, it makes a very interesting and innovative argument that scholars of globalization, democratization, and political development will want to read . . . the theoretical argument is original, thought-provoking, well-argued, and interesting, and offers a very pointed challenge to conventional wisdom. The way Lynch talks about China is brilliant.”—Shelley Rigger, Davidson College
“(The book) is magisterial. Because it encompasses so much and challenges so much, its theses will be debated. The book will prod people to do review essays and hold symposia. In short, it is a very important work. This is superb scholarship.”—Edward Friedman, University of Wisconsin-Madison

About the Author:

Daniel C. Lynch is Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Southern California. He is also the author of After the Propaganda State: Media, Politics, and "Thought Work" in Reformed China (Stanford, 1999).

About this edition

• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0804761043
• ISBN 13: 9780804761048
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320