Center for Chinese Studies, Publications – serie

The political system established by the Chinese Communist Party in 1949 had its origins, in many respects, in the Chinese Soviet Republic of 1931–1934, based in southern Kiangsi province about 400 miles southwest of Shanghai. The Kiangsi period was important because it gave the Chinese Communists their first opportunity to govern an extensive area and a large population, and in so doing to develop methods of mass mobilization as well as new techniques for conducting party and government affairs.  Kim explores the evolution of the Chinese Communist movement during the Kiangsi soviet period, especially its organizational concepts, behavioral patterns, and development techniques of "mass line" politics. He seeks answers to several questions: What notions of organization shaped the Kiangsi political system? Who formulated the policies? How were they implemented at the rice-roots level of government? By analyzing Mao Tse-tung's writings on organization and comparing them with those of other Chinese Communist theoreticians, he achieves fresh insights into Mao's approach to administration and bureaucratic organization.   The distinct contribution of this book lies in its focus on such issues as how the Chinese Communist leaders viewed organizational problems within their movement, especially following the failure of the 1947 revolution; how they responded to these problems; and how they maintained a balance of power among the party, the government, and the Red Army while administering the expanding territorial base and managing complex organizations.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.

A Madman of Ch’u: The Chinese Myth of Loyalty and Dissent offers a compelling exploration of the enduring legacy of Ch’ü Yuan, an ancient poet and statesman whose life symbolizes loyalty, dissent, and the complex interplay between personal conviction and public duty. Through a detailed analysis of classical texts, folk traditions, and modern reinterpretations, the book traces the evolution of Ch’ü Yuan’s mythology from the Warring States period to the 20th century. His seminal poem, Li Sao, serves as the foundation of China's lyrical tradition and embodies his passionate ideals and moral struggles. Ch’ü Yuan’s tragic story—marked by political exile, unyielding integrity, and ultimate self-sacrifice—provides a lens to examine broader cultural themes such as the tension between individuality and collective responsibility, and the role of art as a vehicle for political dissent.The study also investigates how the Ch’ü Yuan lore has been reimagined to address evolving societal needs, from Confucian ideals of loyalty to revolutionary ideologies in modern China. By examining themes of time, space, and madness, the book highlights his transformation from a southern cultural hero into a modern symbol of radical reform and intellectual independence. This work offers valuable insights into how mythology shapes national identity and cultural continuity, making it an essential resource for scholars of Chinese literature, history, and political thought.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1980.

Careers in Shanghai: The Social Guidance of Personal Energies in a Developing Chinese City, 1949-1966 offers a penetrating exploration of how modernization influenced individual lives in post-revolutionary Shanghai, China’s largest metropolis. This in-depth study focuses on the intricate career guidance system employed by state authorities to align personal ambitions with collective goals. Through mechanisms such as education policies, youth rustication programs, job allocations, and household registration systems, the book reveals how the government channeled citizens' aspirations to meet the demands of social and economic development. Each chapter examines a distinct stage of the career journey, shedding light on the interplay between state-imposed incentives and individual agency in a rapidly evolving urban environment.Drawing from extensive primary sources, including local newspapers, official documents, and interviews, Careers in Shanghai offers a nuanced perspective on the policies shaping urban life during this transformative period. The book situates Shanghai’s experience within the broader context of modernization in rapidly developing cities, exploring the effectiveness and implications of state-controlled career systems. With its comparative insights and detailed local analysis, this volume is an essential resource for scholars of urban studies, political science, and Chinese history, offering valuable lessons on the relationship between governance and individual trajectories in a modernizing society.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1978.

The political system established by the Chinese Communist Party in 1949 had its origins, in many respects, in the Chinese Soviet Republic of 1931–1934, based in southern Kiangsi province about 400 miles southwest of Shanghai. The Kiangsi period was important because it gave the Chinese Communists their first opportunity to govern an extensive area and a large population, and in so doing to develop methods of mass mobilization as well as new techniques for conducting party and government affairs.  Kim explores the evolution of the Chinese Communist movement during the Kiangsi soviet period, especially its organizational concepts, behavioral patterns, and development techniques of "mass line" politics. He seeks answers to several questions: What notions of organization shaped the Kiangsi political system? Who formulated the policies? How were they implemented at the rice-roots level of government? By analyzing Mao Tse-tung's writings on organization and comparing them with those of other Chinese Communist theoreticians, he achieves fresh insights into Mao's approach to administration and bureaucratic organization.   The distinct contribution of this book lies in its focus on such issues as how the Chinese Communist leaders viewed organizational problems within their movement, especially following the failure of the 1947 revolution; how they responded to these problems; and how they maintained a balance of power among the party, the government, and the Red Army while administering the expanding territorial base and managing complex organizations.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.

A Madman of Ch’u: The Chinese Myth of Loyalty and Dissent offers a compelling exploration of the enduring legacy of Ch’ü Yuan, an ancient poet and statesman whose life symbolizes loyalty, dissent, and the complex interplay between personal conviction and public duty. Through a detailed analysis of classical texts, folk traditions, and modern reinterpretations, the book traces the evolution of Ch’ü Yuan’s mythology from the Warring States period to the 20th century. His seminal poem, Li Sao, serves as the foundation of China's lyrical tradition and embodies his passionate ideals and moral struggles. Ch’ü Yuan’s tragic story—marked by political exile, unyielding integrity, and ultimate self-sacrifice—provides a lens to examine broader cultural themes such as the tension between individuality and collective responsibility, and the role of art as a vehicle for political dissent.The study also investigates how the Ch’ü Yuan lore has been reimagined to address evolving societal needs, from Confucian ideals of loyalty to revolutionary ideologies in modern China. By examining themes of time, space, and madness, the book highlights his transformation from a southern cultural hero into a modern symbol of radical reform and intellectual independence. This work offers valuable insights into how mythology shapes national identity and cultural continuity, making it an essential resource for scholars of Chinese literature, history, and political thought.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1980.