Meng Xie, Internationalizing the Social Sciences in China: The Disciplinary Development of Sociology at Tsinghua University

This book based on the author’s PhD thesis, read at the University of Hong Kong, is forwarded by the author’s academic supervisor, Professor Rui Yang, who maps out the book’s objectives. Yang explicates that the book attempts ‘to make a holistic exploration of the current state of development of the social sciences in China’s premier universities by taking Tsinghua University’s sociology as a case’ (viii). Yang’s ‘Forward’ is accurately reflected in the author’s comprehensive analysis; including presenting theoretical considerations on the development of social sciences in a global context of asymmetrical academic relations across knowledge systems. The book registers the historical trajectory of the disciplinary evolution of China’s social sciences under the influence of internationalization, and scrutinizes the complex academic relations between various forces during different historical periods (Forward). Tsinghua University is selected as a case study for various reasons. Justifying that ‘the Chinese higher education system is marked by a hierarchical structure that positions institutions “according to their function and goals”’ (p. 15). It is acknowledged that Tsinghua and Tsinghua’s Sociology fits this criterion. Besides, Tsinghua occupies a close historical and contemporary nexus with Western universities, which allows Tsinghua to cultivate research and talent ‘above those of the average Chinese university’ (p. 16). Tsinghua also is a unique case due to its distinct disciplinary development trajectory in the social sciences throughout the past century. Tsinghua’s sociology, the author argues, was ranked fourth in China (CDGDC, 2017). Additionally, from 2015 to 2018 it was consistently among the top 51–100 in the world, based on QS World University Rankings by Subject, despite having only 14 faculty members. 1138462 ISS0010.1177/02685809221138462International SociologyBook review research-article2022