Modern Erasures: Revolution, the Civilizing Mission, and the Shaping of China's Past

Modern Erasures explores the acts of epistemic violence that led to China's transformation from a semicolonized republic to a Communist state over the twentieth century, focusing on communities in remote Gansu province and the wider region. It argues that a form of revolutionary memory developed in China to justify the human cost of the revolution and the building of the national party-state.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Modern Erasures is a groundbreaking and pioneering exploration of the acts of epistemic violence that underpinned China's transition from a semicolonized republic to a Communist state over the course of the twentieth century. Pierre Fuller meticulously charts the lineage of Maoist thought and practice, spanning from the May Fourth movement of 1919 to the height of the Cultural Revolution in 1969, in order to shed light on the intricate relationship between epistemic and physical violence, book burning, and bloodletting, during China's revolutions. By focusing on communities in remote Gansu province and the broader region over a span of half a century, Fuller compellingly argues that a unique form of revolutionary memory emerged in China to justify the human cost of revolution and the establishment of the national party-state. Through a meticulous analysis of intellectual and cultural responses to, and memories of, earthquakes, famine, and other disaster events in China, this book reveals how the Maoist invocation of the "old society" earmarked for destruction was merely the most extreme phase of a transnational, colonial-era conversation on the backwardness of rural communities.

This book is a crucial contribution to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted processes that shaped China's modern history. By delving into the realm of epistemic violence, Fuller sheds light on the ways in which ideas and beliefs can be used as tools of oppression and control, ultimately leading to the devastating consequences of political and social upheaval. Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, he challenges us to reconsider our assumptions about the origins and nature of China's Communist regime and to explore the deeper roots of the ongoing struggles for social justice and human rights in the country.

Modern Erasures is a must-read for anyone interested in China's history, politics, and society. It provides a fresh and compelling perspective on a critical period of Chinese history, and it will undoubtedly inspire further research and debate on the complex and multifaceted issues that continue to shape the country today.

ISBN-13: 9781009012935