The Exemplary Society

This valuable study draws on a rich variety of Western and Chinese language sources listed in a comprehensive bibliography. There is also an invaluable glossary of Chinese terms (including characters) for those wishing to carry out further reading in this field. Although the volume is grounded in sociological studies, it also makes an important contribution to the wider field of Chinese studies. It would be an appropriate and thought-provoking book for many postgraduate courses and should be of interest to all those with a serious interest in China. * China Quarterly 2001 *
Borge Bakken's study offers a convincing explanation of some of the values underpinning current campaigns and, more generally, China's approach to social control in the 21st century. It also offers important insights into the leadership's incremental approach to reform that has characterized Chinese politics for at leat the last five years. * China Quarterly 2001 *
richly documented and pathbreaking study * R.E.Entenmann, Choice, Vol.38, No.3, Jan 2001 *
informative and reflective ... an interesting book that integrates various sources of knowledge on China, historical and contemporary, and relates western sociological theories to modern Chinese society and vice versa. ... a thoughtful book. ... with ... insightful views on the nature of the Chinese exemplary society. * Tan Chee-Beng, International Sociology, Vol 16, No 1 *
a brave and challenging attempt to bridge the political and epistemological crevasses which litter the path to a more inclusive understanding of the meaning of modernization. ... To a non-China specialist, this book is full of insights and represents an extraordinary intellectual effort in bringing together different traditions of thought. ... there is much to enthral and ponder upon in terms of the big questions of social and political thought. It is highly reommended. * Hilary Standing, International Sociology, Vol. 16, No.1 *