Empire and Righteous Nation
600 Years of China-Korea Relations
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Harvard University Press
Published:28th Apr '23
Should be back in stock very soon
This insightful book explores the historical ties between China and Korea, revealing how their complex relationship has shaped modern geopolitics. Empire and Righteous Nation offers essential context.
In Empire and Righteous Nation, historian Odd Arne Westad presents a thorough exploration of the intricate relationship between China and the Koreas over the past 600 years. The narrative begins with Korea's historical cultural and political dependence on China, illustrating how this connection has evolved over time. As the story unfolds, readers will discover the mounting tensions that emerged during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, providing essential context for understanding the complex geopolitical dynamics that define the region today.
Westad's work delves into how the relationship has shaped both nations, emphasizing that the ties between China and Korea are among the most significant yet least understood in Asia. Through a clear and engaging writing style, he sheds light on the historical events that have influenced the present-day interactions between these two neighbors. The book offers insights into the cultural exchanges and conflicts that have marked their shared history, ultimately revealing the profound impact this relationship has had on the political landscape of East Asia.
As the narrative progresses, Westad addresses pivotal moments such as Korea's vassal status during the Ming Dynasty and the subsequent decline of Chinese influence amid the rise of Western powers and Japan. He also examines the repercussions of the Korean War and the ongoing discussions surrounding reunification, making Empire and Righteous Nation an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the historical roots of contemporary Sino-Korean relations.
The relationship between China and Korea is one of the most important, and least understood, in Asia. With the wisdom and clarity we have come to expect from Westad, this book illuminates the long history of these two neighbors. He tells a story both of closeness brought about by Confucianism and Communism and of prickliness that comes from two fierce and rival nationalisms, providing compelling insights on the future of this volatile partnership. -- Rana Mitter, author of China’s Good War
In this incisive and engaging overview, Westad offers a new framework for understanding China and Korea that weaves their interconnected histories together in a concise, thoughtful way. The themes of ‘empire’ and ‘righteous nation’ offer some excellent insights into both the differences between the two countries and their long, complex relationship. -- Gregg Brazinsky, author of Nation Building in South Korea
Westad offers a sweeping historical overview of what is arguably the most important relationship in Asia today, that between China and the Korean Peninsula. How that relationship is managed and plays out in the coming years is central to questions of national and regional interests as well as to global issues of war and peace. Unique in its broad perspective and engagingly written, this is a timely must-read primer on the China–Korea relationship in its longue durée and its impact on and implications for our world today. -- Carter J. Eckert, author of Park Chung Hee and Modern Korea
A smart and engaging work, with a provocative, sweeping narrative that is a pleasure to read. Anyone interested in Sino–Korean relations and the current standoff on the peninsula would be well advised to start with this book. -- Andre Schmid, author of Korea Between Empires, 1895–1919
Valuable and wide-ranging…As two thousand years of history have shown, China’s role in Korea is a complex one. Westad’s short and stimulating study provides many clues to understanding that relationship. -- J. E. Hoare * Literary Review *
ISBN: 9780674292321
Dimensions: 210mm x 137mm x 13mm
Weight: 249g
216 pages