Confucian Governmentality and Socialist Autocracy in Contemporary China

Chih-yu Shih (National Taiwan University)

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English

Bristol University Press
10 June 2025

Political structures: totalitarianism & dictatorship; Central government; International relations; Civil rights & citizenship

In October 2022, the 20th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) concluded, extending Xi Jinping's leadership indefinitely, which many view as a one-party dictatorship.

Exploring Confucian and socialist principles, this book examines the relationship between the citizens and leaders in the Chinese autocracy. By applying a Foucauldian twist to a range of topics

from discussing the politics of love and pandemic nationalism to analysing Xi's personality

it challenges the binary of authoritarianism and democracy.

Interdisciplinary in nature, it will appeal to scholars and students working in the fields of politics, international relations, culture studies and critical theory.

By: Chih-yu Shih (National Taiwan University)
Imprint: Bristol University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781529238914
ISBN 10: 1529238919
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 10 June 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Chih-yu Shih is National Chair and University Chair in the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University.

Reviews for Confucian Governmentality and Socialist Autocracy in Contemporary China

""Chih-yu Shih's analysis offers fascinating insights into the philosophical foundations of Chinese politics. His combination of Confucian cosmology and Foucauldian governmentality explores the hidden layers of state-society relations in the era of Xi Jinping."" Nele Noesselt, University of Duisburg-Essen ""Chih-yu Shih develops very important arguments against binary understandings of politics, directing our attention to more complex governmentalities, without necessarily legitimising them."" Hartmut Behr, Newcastle University