The Wobbling Pivot, China since 1800

This comprehensive but concise narrative of China since the eighteenth century builds its story around the delicate relationship between central government and local communities. Rejects the traditional view of China as a wholly harmonious society based on principles of stability the Unwobbling Pivot of Ezra Pound's translation of the Chinese classic Zhongyong Provides an original interpretation, arguing that developments can be explained through an understanding of China s surprising swings between centralization and decentralization, between local initiative and central authoritarianism Serves as an introduction to the subject, while readers with a background in Chinese history will find the book offers a personal perspective and addresses long-standing interpretive issues Supported by a variety of timelines, maps, illustrations, and extensive notes for further reading Places China s history within the context of global change

This comprehensive but concise narrative of China since theeighteenth century builds its story around the delicaterelationship between central government and local communities.* Rejects the traditional view of China as a wholly harmonioussociety based on principles of stability - the UnwobblingPivot of Ezra Pound's translation of the Chinese classicZhongyong* Provides an original interpretation, arguing that developmentscan be explained through an understanding of China'ssurprising swings between centralization and decentralizationbetween local initiative and central authoritarianism* Serves as an introduction to the subject, while readers with abackground in Chinese history will find the book offers a personalperspective and addresses long-standing interpretive issues* Supported by a variety of timelines, maps, illustrations, andextensive notes for further reading* Places China's history within the context of globalchange

List of Illustrations viiList of Maps viiiForeword and Acknowledgments ixPrelude xiTimeline xv1 The Wobbling Pivot 12 Sources of Order Under the Qing Empire 213 Sources of Disorder Under the Qing Empire 444 Essay: Strategic Borders 665 Qing and the World 706 Essay: Rebel Heroines 987 Visionaries 1008 Essay: Hunan Takes the Lead 1269 Essay: Water 12910 Beiyang Ascendancy 13311 Cultural Revolution 15512 Essay: Manchus as Minorities 17713 War 18014 The Ubiquitous Center 20715 Essay: Minerals 24016 Essay: Health Risks 24317 Gravity 246Bibliography 274Index 295