The Ecological Consequences of Developmentalist Modernism

Courtney, Chris

Abstract

This commentary argues that Stevan Harrell’s An Ecological History of Modern China offers valuable insights into the transformation of ecosystems, which reflect the lived experiences of Chinese people. It examines some of the more contentious claims found in the book, particularly its treatment of politics. It suggests that, while Harrell downplays the importance of party politics and ideological campaigns, the ecological transformations he describes are inextricable from the turbulent political contexts in which they unfolded, from the local politics of village governance to the global politics of the Cold War. It concludes by suggesting that it is Harrell’s extensive research experience as an ethnographer that has allowed him to write such a vivid and insightful history of modern China.

Citation

Courtney, C. (2025). The Ecological Consequences of Developmentalist Modernism. Modern China, 51(1), 15-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/00977004241280931

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 18, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Sep 29, 2024
• Publication Date: 2025-01
• Deposit Date: Nov 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 4, 2024
• Journal: Modern China
• Print ISSN: 0097-7004
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-6836
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 15-20
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00977004241280931
• Keywords: ethnography, ecological history, environment, politics
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2992696