Sentimental Republic

Discover the intricate relationship between emotion and public intellectual debate in "Sentimental Republic" by Hang Tu, published by Harvard University Press in 2025. This compelling hardback spans 315 pages, offering a fresh perspective on the post-Mao cultural controversies that have shaped Chinese society over the last four decades (1978–2018). Tu introduces emotion as a critical framework to analyze the intense cultural wars involving liberals, the left, cultural conservatives, and nationalists as they grapple with Mao's revolutionary legacies. This thought-provoking work is essential for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of cultural discourse and the role of sentiment in shaping public opinion. Dive into "Sentimental Republic" and explore how emotional narratives influence ideological battles in contemporary China.