Why people recommend it
Rise and Fall of the EAST by Yasheng Huang is a comprehensive historical and political examination of the development of the Chinese state, focusing specifically on the roles of autocracy, stability, and technology. The book was featured prominently on the podcast Conversations with Tyler, where host Tyler Cowen engaged the author in a deep exploration of Chinese history and governance. During the introduction and throughout the episode, Tyler Cowen noted that the book offers one of the most fascinating contemporary analyses of China, praising its rigorous examination of political and social structures. Specifically, Cowen questioned the author regarding a central argument presented in the text: the claim that the traditional imperial examination system ultimately weakened the horizontal structure of Chinese society and effectively hindered the development of a robust civil society. By probing these complex historical assertions, the podcast provided listeners with a detailed preview of the book's central arguments surrounding the historical tradeoffs between technological achievement, state control, and institutional flexibility under autocratic rule.
Who recommended it
- Tyler Cowen Recommended
Tyler Cowen — 6 mentions
“it is called the rise and fall of the East examination autocracy stability and Technology due out this summer”
“it is called the rise and fall of the East examination autocracy stability and Technology due out this summer”
“now you argue in your new book that the imperial exam system weakened the horizontal structure of Chinese Society prevented China from developing Civil Society”
“now you argue in your new book that the imperial exam system weakened the horizontal structure of Chinese Society prevented China from developing Civil Society”
“I'll again mention your forthcoming book the rise and fall of the East call an examination autocracy stability and technology which I found one of the most interesting books on China”
“I'll again mention your forthcoming book the rise and fall of the East call an examination autocracy stability and technology which I found one of the most interesting books on China”