Description
Although Chinese Marxism-primarily represented by Maoism-is generally seen by Western intellectuals as monolithic, Liu Kang argues that its practices and projects are as diverse as those in Western Marxism, particularly in the area of aesthetics. In this comparative study of European and Chinese Marxist traditions, Liu reveals the extent to which Chinese Marxists incorporate ideas about aesthetics and culture in their theories and practices. In doing so, he constructs a wholly new understanding of Chinese Marxism.
Far from being secondary considerations in Chinese Marxism, aesthetics and culture are in fact principal concerns. In this respect, such Marxists are similar to their Western counterparts, although Europeans have had little understanding of the Chinese experience. Liu traces the genealogy of aesthetic discourse in both modern China and the West since the era of classical German thought, showing where conceptual modifications and divergences have occurred in the two traditions. He examines the work of Mao Zedong, Lu Xun, Li Zehou, Qu Qiubai, and others in China, and from the West he discusses Kant, Schiller, Schopenhauer, and Marxist theorists including Horkheimer, Adorno, Benjamin, and Marcuse. While stressing the diversity of Marxist positions within China as well as in the West, Liu explains how ideas of culture and aesthetics have offered a constructive vision for a postrevolutionary society and have affected a wide field of issues involving the problems of modernity.
Forcefully argued and theoretically sophisticated, this book will appeal to students and scholars of contemporary Marxism, cultural studies, aesthetics, and modern Chinese culture, politics, and ideology.
Liu's study examines writers, philosophers, and political leaders in China and the West and reveals the extent to which they incorporate ideas about culture" and "aesthetics" in their theories and practices."
About the Author
Reviews
"A work of depth and brilliance. The principles Liu articulates here will enrich our understanding of other texts in the Chinese cultural tradition."-Wang Fengzhen, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
"This book remaps the topography of Marxist aesthetics by highlighting the contributions of Chinese Marxists and Marxist critics, which have been overlooked by Western scholarship."-David D. W. Wang, Columbia University
"Well-informed, replete with scholarly detail, yet presented in an attractive and engaging manner. It will stand as a pioneering work in the rethinking of the story of Chinese Marxism."-Gregory B. Lee, Universite Jean Moulin
Book Information
ISBN 9780822324485
Author Kang Liu
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Duke University Press
Publisher Duke University Press
Weight(grams) 535g
Far from being secondary considerations in Chinese Marxism, aesthetics and culture are in fact principal concerns. In this respect, such Marxists are similar to their Western counterparts, although Europeans have had little understanding of the Chinese experience. Liu traces the genealogy of aesthetic discourse in both modern China and the West since the era of classical German thought, showing where conceptual modifications and divergences have occurred in the two traditions. He examines the work of Mao Zedong, Lu Xun, Li Zehou, Qu Qiubai, and others in China, and from the West he discusses Kant, Schiller, Schopenhauer, and Marxist theorists including Horkheimer, Adorno, Benjamin, and Marcuse. While stressing the diversity of Marxist positions within China as well as in the West, Liu explains how ideas of culture and aesthetics have offered a constructive vision for a postrevolutionary society and have affected a wide field of issues involving the problems of modernity.
Forcefully argued and theoretically sophisticated, this book will appeal to students and scholars of contemporary Marxism, cultural studies, aesthetics, and modern Chinese culture, politics, and ideology.
Liu's study examines writers, philosophers, and political leaders in China and the West and reveals the extent to which they incorporate ideas about culture" and "aesthetics" in their theories and practices."
About the Author
Liu Kang is Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Chinese at Pennsylvania State University. His books include Demonizing China and Bakhtin's Dialogism and Cultural Theory.
Reviews
"A work of depth and brilliance. The principles Liu articulates here will enrich our understanding of other texts in the Chinese cultural tradition."-Wang Fengzhen, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
"This book remaps the topography of Marxist aesthetics by highlighting the contributions of Chinese Marxists and Marxist critics, which have been overlooked by Western scholarship."-David D. W. Wang, Columbia University
"Well-informed, replete with scholarly detail, yet presented in an attractive and engaging manner. It will stand as a pioneering work in the rethinking of the story of Chinese Marxism."-Gregory B. Lee, Universite Jean Moulin
Book Information
ISBN 9780822324485
Author Kang Liu
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Duke University Press
Publisher Duke University Press
Weight(grams) 535g
