Alumnus, History
Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomcy
Tufts University, History
Thesis Title: “Voting as a Rite: Changing Ideas of Elections in Early Twentieth Century China”
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William C. Kirby
Henrietta Harrison Mark Kishlansky Elizabeth Perry |
About
I am a historian of modern China, with a specific interest in twentieth century political history. My dissertation, “Voting as a Rite: Changing Ideas of Elections in Early Twentieth Century China,” explores the political, cultural, and intellectual consequences of popular elections on mainland China from the last years of the Qing dynasty to the early days of the Communist era. Much of this period was characterized by relatively frequent and widespread elections for local, provincial, and (at times) national governments, which sharply differentiated it from previous and subsequent eras. Chinese governments during this period utilized elections as a tool for legitimizing their rule and designed, organized, and promoted elections to this end. I argue that although elections never determined who ruled China, participation in the electoral process had a profound impact on the political consciousness of those who were ruled. Through an analysis of public reactions to elections, I contend that popular discussion of elections was characterized by a tension between an embrace of democracy as a concept and disgust at democracy as a practice. This tension, which originated in part from longstanding debates about the relationship between virtue, talent, and governance, had significant implications for twentieth—and twenty-first—century Chinese governments. My dissertation is based on extensive research conducted at national, provincial, and municipal archives and libraries in mainland China.
