{"product_id":"the-rise-and-fall-of-imperial-china-the-social-origins-of-state-development-9780691215167","title":"The Rise and Fall of Imperial China: The Social Origins of State Development","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eSocial networks shaped the imperial Chinese state, with short-lived emperors ruling a strong state and long-lasting emperors governing a weak one. Wang argues that Chinese rulers faced a trade-off between strengthening state capacity and keeping rulers in power, leading to the pursuit of power by fragmenting the elites. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 352 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 11 October 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Princeton University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChina, the world's leading superpower for nearly two millennia, has recently reclaimed its dominance after a temporary decline in the last two centuries. However, what factors contributed to the decline of imperial China? \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Rise and Fall of Imperial China provides a comprehensive examination of the Chinese state from the seventh century to the twentieth century. By focusing on the contrasting reigns of short-lived and long-lasting emperors, Yuhua Wang delves into the underlying factors that shaped the Chinese state. Wang argues that Chinese rulers faced a fundamental trade-off known as the \"sovereign's dilemma.\" This dilemma emerged as strengthening state capacity and maintaining rulers in power required different social networks, where central elites were embedded. Wang explores how these social networks shaped the Chinese state and, in turn, how the rulers' pursuit of power through fragmenting the elites ultimately led to China's downfall. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrawing on over a thousand years of Chinese history, The Rise and Fall of Imperial China highlights the crucial role of elite social relations in influencing the trajectory of state development. Wang's analysis sheds light on the complex interplay between political, social, and economic factors that contributed to China's rise and fall, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of imperial governance. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history, politics, and society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 568g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 260 x 234 x 26 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9780691215167\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Yuhua Wang","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44101575540986,"sku":"9780691215167","price":24.89,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1667563640172_book.jpg?v=1667985276","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/the-rise-and-fall-of-imperial-china-the-social-origins-of-state-development-9780691215167","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}