Table of Contents

Introduction; Part I: 1. Theoretical and comparative issues; 2. The counter-elite and its institutional basis; Part II: 3. 'The movement to 'emancipate the mind' and the counter-elite's response; 4. 'Building socialist spiritual civilisation' and the counter-elite's response; 5. Two contending patriotic campaigns; 6. Admission of the 'primary stage of socialism' and the counter-elite's two development models; Concluding remarks; Appendix; Selected bibliography; Index.

Promotional Information

This 1994 book analyses elite politics in China during the decade of reform (1977–89).

Reviews

"...an impressive book. It is both well-written and well-structured. It is also a work of true scholarship, and constitutes a largely successful blend of deep theorizing and detailed empiricism. His appendix on methodology is refreshingly honest and sensitive." Leslie Holmes, American Political Science Review "...addresses one of the most important issues in contemporary China...Ding's analysis is intriguing and should be seriously examined. It is a refreshing rejoinder to the often simplistic and culturally narrow concept of 'civil society' recently used in examining the origins of Spring 1989...engrossing reading." Lawrence Sullivan, China Journal "There have been several good studies done recently on political elites in post-Mao China. This book is a valuble contribution to this growing literature ... Ding's work is groundbreaking. It documents in great detail how the counterelites in China have gone about their work and is a significant contribution to the study of behavior." Steven J. Hood, China Review International