1st Edition
Military Force and Elite Power in the Formation of Modern China
Introduction 1. Local Military Power and Elite Formation: The Liu Family of Xingyi County, Guizhou 2. Predatory Warlordism: Wang Zhanyuan in Hubei 3. Local Bullies and Armed Force Entrepreneurs: Militia Leadership in Republican Hunan 4. Residual Warlordism under the Nationalist Party-State: He Jian in Hunan 5. Military Office and Local Elite Power: The "Three Lords" of Qiyang County, Hunan 6. Conclusion
Biography
Edward A. McCord is an Associate Professor of History and International Affairs at George Washington University, USA.
"Through an examination of the intersection of military force and elite power in the formative years of modern Chinese history, McCord (George Washington Univ.) seeks to demonstrate the importance of military force within elite power during that period. The volume contains five chapters. Chapter 1 shows how local military power played an important role in establishing and expanding regional elite power. Chapter 2 looks into how military command became the foundation of political power and a source for personal wealth. Chapter 3 discusses the source of power for local militia leaders. Chapter 4 illustrates how power was derived from military command. Chapter 5 probes how military professionals influenced the structure of elite power and politics in their home communities. In the conclusion, the author suggests that the end results of recurring military conflict were “transformations in society and government that ultimately reshaped and limited the capacity for military force.” --S. K. Ma, California State University, Los Angeles
Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduate, graduate, and research collections - CHOICE
