This challenging study brings together anthropology and political science to examine how ethnic minorities are constructed by the state, and how they respond to such constructions. Disclosing endless mini negotiations between those acting in the name of the Chinese state and those carrying the images of ethnic minority, this book provides an image of the framing of ethnicity by modern state building processes. It will be of vital interest to scholars of political science, anthropology and sociology, and is essential reading to those engaged in studying Chinese society.

Chih-yu Shih, National Chair Professor of 2001-2003 at National Taiwan University, teaches Chines politics, cultural studies and political psychology. He received his MPP from Harvard University and Ph.D from the University of Denver. In addition to 33 Chinese books, his English publications include Collective Democracy, State and Society in China's Political Economy, Symbolic War, China's Just World and The Spirit Chinese Foreign Policy. His ethnicity is Chinese Miao.

Part I: The Ethnic Economy of Citizenship: Comparison with Aboriginal Taiwan Part II: Ethnic Sensitivity: Contingent Identities Part III: Ethnic Traits: after Assimilation Part IV: Ethnic Religion: the Adaptation of Islam Part V: Ethnic Language: Educational Practices Part VI: Ethnic Schooling: Sluggish Enrollment