What is the meaning of love in modern Chinese politics? Why has ai (love) been a crucial political discourse for secular nationalism for generations of political leaders as a powerful instrument to the present day? This book offers the first systematic examination of the ways in which the notion of love has been introduced, adapted, and engineered as a political discourse for the building and rebuilding of a secular modern nation, all the while appropriating Confucianism, Christianity, popular religion, ghost stories, political religion, and their religious affects. The insights of this exploration expand not only the discussion of the role of emotions in the project of Chinese modernity, but also the study of affective governance and religious nationalisms around the world today.
Guo Ting studies religion, politics, and gender in transnational Asia. She is currently Assistant Professor of Cultural and Religious Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong and incoming Assistant Professor of Language Studies, University of Toronto. She is the book reviewer editor for the Journal of the American Academy of Religion and a Diversity and Equity Committee representative for the Association for Asian Studies. She co-hosts a podcast called 時差 in-betweenness (@shichapodcast).
This series aims to introduce a wide range of cutting-edge research in various disciplines and areas. If you have any questions about this webinar, would be interested in giving a talk, or would like to be removed from this mailing list, please contact Professor Ghassan Moazzin (gmoazzin@hku.hk).
Light refreshments will be served for registered participants attending the seminar in person.
