The Gilded Cage: Technology, Development, and State Capitalism in China

Ya-Wen Lei's book explores the contours of China's techno-developmental regime and its resulting form of techno-state capitalism, highlighting the unequal values assigned to economic sectors and the expansion of technical and legal instruments used to measure and control workers and capital. She argues that China's rise is shaped by its time-compressed development, the complex relationship between the authoritarian state and tech companies, and an ideology that fuses nationalism with high modernism, technological fetishism, and meritocracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 21 November 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Since the mid-2000s, the Chinese state has undergone a significant shift towards a socioeconomic development model focused on science and technology. Ya-Wen Lei, in her book "Techno-State Capitalism in China," explores the contours of this techno-developmental regime and its impact on individuals and society. Through extensive fieldwork and in-depth interviews with various stakeholders, Lei sheds light on the unequal values assigned to different economic sectors, the expansion of technical and legal instruments for measuring and controlling workers and capital, and the unique factors that have shaped China's rapid rise to economic and technological dominance.

One of the key themes of the book is the complex relationship between the Chinese state and its powerful tech companies. Lei highlights how the authoritarian state has sought to harness the technological advancements of these companies for its own purposes while also managing their growth and influence. This relationship has led to the emergence of a techno-state capitalism, where the state and tech capital work together to create a system of control and surveillance that extends into all aspects of life.

Another important aspect of Lei's book is the fusion of nationalism, high modernism, technological fetishism, and meritocracy that underpins China's development. She argues that this ideology has created a sense of urgency and competition among individuals and organizations, leading to rapid innovation and progress. However, it has also led to rising inequality and social exclusion, as those who are unable to keep up with the rapid changes in the economy are left behind.

Some have compared China's transformation to the Gilded Age in the United States, highlighting the similarities in terms of economic inequality and social unrest. However, Lei argues that China's situation is more like a gilded cage, where the Chinese state and tech capital are producing rising inequality and new forms of social exclusion. The book provides a critical analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing China as it continues to navigate its rapid development.

In conclusion, "Techno-State Capitalism in China" is a thought-provoking book that offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex relationship between the Chinese state, tech companies, and society. Lei's insightful analysis provides valuable insights into the drivers of China's rapid development and the challenges it faces in the future. By shedding light on the unequal values assigned to different economic sectors, the expansion of control and surveillance, and the fusion of nationalism with high modernism, technological fetishism, and meritocracy, the book contributes to our understanding of the evolving dynamics of global capitalism.

Weight: 670g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691212821