Liberal Barbarism

The European Destruction of the Palace of the Emperor of China

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Marriage & Family, History, Asian, Asia
Cover of the book Liberal Barbarism by E. Ringmar, Palgrave Macmillan US
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: E. Ringmar ISBN: 9781137031600
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US Publication: September 18, 2013
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan Language: English
Author: E. Ringmar
ISBN: 9781137031600
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication: September 18, 2013
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan
Language: English

In Liberal Barbarism, Erik Ringmar sets out to explain the 1860 destruction of Yuanmingyuan - the Chinese imperial palace north-west of Beijing - at the hands of British and French armies. Yuanmingyuan was the emperor's own theme-park, a perfect world, a vision of paradise, which housed one of the greatest collections of works of art ever assembled. The intellectual puzzle which the book addresses concerns why the Europeans, bent on "civilizing" the Chinese, engaged in this act of barbarism. The answer is provided through an analysis of the performative aspect of the confrontation between Europe and China, focusing on the differences in the way their respective international systems were conceptualized. Ringmar reveals that the destruction of Yuanmingyuan represented the Europeans' campaign to "shock and awe" the Chinese, thereby forcing them to give up their way of organizing international relations. The contradictions which the events of 1860 exemplify - the contradiction between civilization and barbarism - is a theme running through all European (and North American) relations with the rest of the world since, including, most recently, the US war in Iraq.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In Liberal Barbarism, Erik Ringmar sets out to explain the 1860 destruction of Yuanmingyuan - the Chinese imperial palace north-west of Beijing - at the hands of British and French armies. Yuanmingyuan was the emperor's own theme-park, a perfect world, a vision of paradise, which housed one of the greatest collections of works of art ever assembled. The intellectual puzzle which the book addresses concerns why the Europeans, bent on "civilizing" the Chinese, engaged in this act of barbarism. The answer is provided through an analysis of the performative aspect of the confrontation between Europe and China, focusing on the differences in the way their respective international systems were conceptualized. Ringmar reveals that the destruction of Yuanmingyuan represented the Europeans' campaign to "shock and awe" the Chinese, thereby forcing them to give up their way of organizing international relations. The contradictions which the events of 1860 exemplify - the contradiction between civilization and barbarism - is a theme running through all European (and North American) relations with the rest of the world since, including, most recently, the US war in Iraq.

More books from Palgrave Macmillan US

Cover of the book “Pan” Africa Rising by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Critical Theology against US Militarism in Asia by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Making British Indian Fictions by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Supernatural, Humanity, and the Soul by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Typology and Iconography in Donne, Herbert, and Milton by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book The Emergence of Russian Liberalism by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Whose God Rules? by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Political and Cultural Perceptions of George Orwell by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Gizmos or: The Electronic Imperative by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book African Literary NGOs by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book The Medieval Motion Picture by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Memory and Transitional Justice in Argentina and Uruguay by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Muslims and Jews in America by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Prisoners of Rhodesia by E. Ringmar
Cover of the book Front Line Public Diplomacy by E. Ringmar
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy