Book review: Making It Count: Statistics and Statecraft in the Early People’s Republic of China

Abstract

pertinent academic thinking in the area, especially that by non-Western writers. In particular, Liao’s nuanced reading of the role of network capitalism, the blurring of producer and consumer categories, and the potential of the commons within shanzhai culture and practice is to be celebrated. Whilst many aspects of the empirical work undertaken may be of interest to undergraduate students in the fields of cultural studies, sociology, or marketing, the main audience for this book is likely to be a postgraduate one. Shanzhai and the socioeconomic issues surrounding it are a very specific case study that requires more than a passing knowledge of China. Although Liao brings into play aspects of Chinese history, such as Mao’s ‘iron rice bowl’ and Deng’s ‘leaping into the sea’ in a very accessible way, it is easy to underestimate the body of historical and cultural knowledge that this book draws upon. Although knowledge is not assumed, a grasp on the key moments in contemporary Chinese history would certainly aid a deeper understanding of the content. So, whilst it is written in a very accessible and engaging way, Liao’s book is more likely to be relevant to a postgraduate audience. This by no means detracts from its numerous merits.