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  3. Deadly Decision in Beijing
  • Cited by 1
      • Yang Su, University of California, Irvine
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    • Publisher:
      Cambridge University Press
      Publication date:
      February 2023
      March 2023
      ISBN:
      9781009122061
      9781009100762
      9781009114202
      DOI:
      https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009122061
      Dimensions:
      (229 x 152 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.66kg, 338 Pages
      Dimensions:
      (229 x 152 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.5kg, 338 Pages
      • Subjects:
      East Asian History, Area Studies, Asian Studies, History, East Asian Government, Politics and Policy, Politics and International Relations
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    • Selected: Digital
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    Subjects:
    East Asian History, Area Studies, Asian Studies, History, East Asian Government, Politics and Policy, Politics and International Relations
    Information

    Book description

    Three decades after 1989, historical materials are now available for understanding the Tiananmen protests in a new light. In a play-by-play account of the elite politics that led to the military crackdown, Yang Su addresses the repression of the protest in the context of political leadership succession. He challenges conventional views that see the military intervention as a necessary measure against a revolutionary mobilization. Beneath the political drama, Deadly Decision in Beijing explores the authoritarian regime's perpetual crisis of leadership transition and its impact on popular movements.

    Reviews

    ‘A stunning, meticulously researched, brilliant analysis. Yang Su’s book forces us to re-evaluate everything we thought we knew about the Tiananmen Square movement and its violent repression. The analysis also reminds us of how much we miss when we lack access to information about elite decision making processes and how those processes may shape trajectories of social movements. While activists think strategically about how elite opponents’ vulnerabilities open up opportunities for action, their elite opponents may be thinking strategically about how they can use movements to position themselves in elite power struggles. Elegantly written and perfectly suited for undergraduate or graduate courses related to social movements, revolution, politics, and power.’

    Rory McVeigh - Notre Dame University

    'a lively narrative'

    Andrew J. Nathan Source: Foreign Affairs

    ‘[A] terrific book - one that is likely to be read, discussed, and cited for some time to come.’

    George Lawson Source: American Journal of Sociology

    ‘This book will be of interest to scholars of China and, more generally, to those curious about authoritarian rule in the modern era. … Recommended.’

    Q. E. Wang Source: Choice

    ‘For a long time, there has been a division between area studies and disciplinary knowledge in the China field. Su’s work demonstrates that this division is unnecessary and unproductive. Like his first book, “Deadly Decision in Beijing” represents a new wave of theory-informed China studies. It not only tells a nuanced story of a crucial episode in modern Chinese history but also contributes fresh insights to social science theories: elite politics, social movements, and historical sociology. Su’s scholarship sets a standard for all sociologists studying China.’

    Yang Zhang Source: Pacific Affairs

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