Quest for Legitimacy in Chinese Politics

Lanxin Xiang is Professor of International History and Politics at The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland. He is also the former Henry Kissinger Chair at the Library of Congress.

• Introduction: Legitimacy：East and WestChapter One: Legitimacy and StateChapter Two: Legitimacy and Oriental DespotismChapter Three: Fictional LegitimacyChapter Four: Presentation and Representation: A Republican LegitimacyChapter Five: Deeds Legitimacy: EconomyChapter Six: Externalizing the Mandate of HeavenConcluding Remarks: Restarting Cultural Dialogue Index

‘In his fascinating new book The Quest for Legitimacy in Chinese Politics, Xiang shifts the spotlight from the crisis of rule in the West to the crisis of rule in China…Xiang’s contribution lies in challenging the conventional Western view that China faces the alternatives of integrating with the West, trying to destroy it, or succumbing to domestic violence and chaos…The most interesting part of the book examines how the West has consistently disparaged the Chinese achievement.’ - Robert Skidelsky, a member of the British House of Lords, is Professor Emeritus of Political Economy at Warwick University.'In a vivid passage, he compares Beijing’s political scene to the last days of the Russian tsars, “with charlatans and sycophants running amuck”. Still, his book, “The Quest for Legitimacy in Chinese Politics, A New Interpretation”, is an invaluable guide to the feelings of hurt and injustice that consume those same ruling classes now.' - Appeared in The Economist on 18 Dec 2019