On the Edge: Feeling Precarious in China

Charismatic artists recruit desperate migrants for site-specific performance art pieces, construction workers threaten to jump from high-rise buildings if their back wages are not paid, and users of a video and livestreaming app hustle for views by eating excrement or setting off firecrackers on their genitals. These and many other recent cultural moments in China suggest that the country's suppressed social strife simmers or threatens to boil over. Margaret Hillenbrand argues that a vast underclass of Chinese workers exists in "zombie citizenship," a state of dehumanizing exile from the law and its safeguards. On the Edge examines precarity in contemporary China through the lens of the dark and angry cultural forms that chronic uncertainty has generated, tracing how people use culture to vent taboo feelings of rage, resentment, distrust, and disdain in scenarios rife with cross-class antagonism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Charismatic artists often exploit desperate migrants for site-specific performance art pieces, without providing any compensation. In a shocking display of desperation, construction workers have been caught on camera threatening to jump from the top of a high-rise building if their back wages are not paid. Furthermore, users of a video and livestreaming app resort to extreme measures to gain attention and increase their view count, including eating excrement and setting off firecrackers on their genitals. These and many other recent cultural moments in China suggest that the suppressed social strife within the country is simmering or even threatening to boil over.

In her book "On the Edge: Precarity in Contemporary China," Margaret Hillenbrand explores the depths of precarity experienced by a vast underclass of Chinese workers. She argues that they exist in a state of "zombie citizenship," characterized by dehumanizing exile from the law and its safeguards. This precarious situation leaves many individuals feeling vulnerable and fearful, as they constantly worry about falling into the abyss of dispossession, disenfranchisement, and dislocation.

Hillenbrand's book is a highly interdisciplinary work that combines digital media, art history, literary criticism, and performance studies with citizenship, protest, and labor studies. It seeks to understand the unique Chinese experience and the critical role of culture in shaping global perceptions of how entrenched insecurity and civic jeopardy fray the bonds of the social contract. Through her analysis of the volatile aesthetic forms that embody stifled social tensions and surging anxiety over zombie citizenship, Hillenbrand traces how people use culture to express taboo feelings of rage, resentment, distrust, and disdain in scenarios rife with cross-class antagonism.

One of the key themes of the book is the ways in which cultural practices and expressions become sites of resistance and empowerment in the face of precarity. Hillenbrand highlights the ways in which artists, activists, and ordinary individuals use cultural forms to challenge dominant narratives, question power structures, and advocate for social change. She examines the role of art, literature, music, and performance in shaping public discourse and mobilizing communities in the face of adversity.

Another important aspect of the book is its exploration of the relationship between precarity and the state. Hillenbrand argues that the state's policies and practices contribute to the perpetuation of precarity and undermine the rights and dignity of workers. She highlights the ways in which the government's economic reforms, urbanization, and labor market policies have created a situation where workers are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination.

Despite the challenges posed by precarity, Hillenbrand remains optimistic about the potential for cultural forms to catalyze social change. She argues that culture has the power to challenge dominant ideologies, break down barriers between different social groups, and foster a sense of collective identity and belonging. She highlights the ways in which cultural practices and expressions can create spaces for dialogue, negotiation, and collaboration, which can lead to the development of more inclusive and equitable societies.

In conclusion, "On the Edge: Precarity in Contemporary China" is a thought-provoking and important book that provides a deep understanding of the precarity experienced by a vast underclass of Chinese workers. Through its interdisciplinary approach, the book explores the ways in which cultural forms become sites of resistance and empowerment in the face of precarity. It highlights the critical role of culture in shaping global perceptions of insecurity and civic jeopardy and advocates for the development of more inclusive and equitable societies.

Weight: 708g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231212144