What is the meaning of love in modern Chinese politics? Why has ai . (love) been a crucial political discourse for secular nationalism for generations of political leaders as a powerful instrument to the present day? This book offers the first systematic examination of the ways in which the notion of love has been introduced, adapted, and engineered as a political discourse for the building and rebuilding of a secular modern nation, all the while appropriating Confucianism, Christianity, popular religion, ghost stories, political religion, and their religious affects. The insights of this exploration expand not only the discussion of the role of emotions in the project of Chinese modernity, but also the study of affective governance and religious nationalisms around the world today.

Ting GUO is Assistant Professor of Cultural and Religious Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong and book reviewer editor for the Journal of the American Academy of Religion. She co-hosts a podcast called .. in-betweeness (@shichapodcat).

Introduction: Not Exactly a Love Story
Chapter One: From Confucianism to Radicalism: A Genealogy of Ai
Chapter Two: Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching-ling’s Socialist Theology of bo’ai .. (Universal Love)
Chapter Three: Love as Spiritual Salvation: Popular Religion and Mao’s Political Religion of Love
Chapter Four: Reinventing Confucianism: Authoritarian Traditionalism and Parental Governance in the Global Era
Chapter Five: Happy Father’s Day, John: Between Filial Piety and Political Duty in Post-Handover Hong Kong
Conclusion: Transforming the Political Discourse of Love