The Wobbling Pivot, China since 1800

Book excerpt: 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 decentralization,between 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