Irony, Cynicism and the Chinese State

This volume explores irony and cynicism as part of the social life of local communities in China, and specifically in relation to the contemporary Chinese state. It collects ethnographies of irony and cynicism in social action, written by a group of anthropologists. They use the lenses of irony and cynicism - broadly defined to include resignation, resistance, humour, ambiguity and dialogue - to look anew at the social, political and moral contradictions faced by Chinese people. They focus on both the interpretation of intentions in everyday social discourse, and the broader theoretical consequences of such interpretations for an understanding of the Chinese state.