Research

Perhaps stemming from my childhood aspiration to become a diplomat, I have developed a profound interest in nationalism—not merely as a concept, but as a vital identity, an ideology, and a facet of modern culture. While my early education was steeped in Materialism, heavily influenced by Marxist ideologies, I find myself increasingly captivated by nationalism and its role in shaping various political, economic, and social phenomena. Consequently, my research has predominantly concentrated on the impact of nationalism on human society, with a particular emphasis on the Chinese and Japanese contexts that have significantly shaped my life prior to my journey to the United States for doctoral studies. My previous and ongoing investigations revolve around four primary areas of focus, all interconnected through the common thread of nationalism as a driving force.

Theory about Nationalism

Having had the privilege of studying and collaborating with Professor Liah Greenfeld, a prominent authority in nationalism research, I have delved into various theoretical interpretations of nationalism. Through this exploration, I have found resonance with her perspective that nationalism serves as the cultural foundation of modernity, shaping numerous dimensions of human experience and influencing society both within nations and beyond their borders. My commitment to this theory is evidenced by my investigation into the relationship between nationalism and China's economic modernization. My relevant publications and current projects include the following:

Wu, Zeying. (2024). "Nationalism and Economic Modernization of China: The Chinese Masses’ Reorientation to the Spirit of Capitalism," Nationalities Papers, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1017/nps.2024.67 (PDF)
Book manuscript: In Search of National Wealth and Power: Nationalism and Economic Modernization of China (book proposal received positive comments from Oxford University Press)
Greenfeld, Liah & Wu, Zeying. (eds.) (2020) Research Handbook on Nationalism. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited. (URL)
Greenfeld, Liah & Wu, Zeying. (2020). "Nationalism: The Modern Motive-Force", in T. Janoski et al. (eds.). The New Handbook of Political Sociology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 761–784. (URL)
Wu, Zeying. (2020). "The Everyday Nationalism of Workers: A Social History of Modern Belgium by Maarten Van Ginderachter. Stanford, CA, Stanford University Press, 2019," Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 135, no. 3, pp. 530–531. (URL)

Nationalism & Political Economy

The political economy of China and Japan is characterized by robust state intervention, fueled by a spirit of nationalism. In collaboration with Professor Min Ye from Boston University, I have been examining China's global strategies and its industrial policies within the green sector (in comparison to those of Japan). Additionally, my work with Richard Yarrow at Princeton has allowed me to investigate China's techno-nationalism in the Middle East through an analysis of Chinese investments in Israel. Below, you will find a list of pertinent publications and work in progress:

Wu, Zeying & Ye, Min. (2024). "Can the BRI Deliver High-Quality Development? A Multi-Actor Analysis of China’s Overseas Economic Zones. " Journal of Contemporary China, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2024.2379463. (PDF)
Wu, Zeying & Ye, Min. (forthcoming). "Industrial Diversification Matters: Examining the State Roles in the Electric Vehicle Industry of China and Japan," Review of International Political Economy.
Ye, Min & Wu, Zeying. (under review). "Commerce and Coalition: Domestic Drives and International Pushes behind the Green Belt and Road." International Affairs.
Wu, Zeying & Yarrow, Richard. (2022). "Engaging Israel in the Belt and Road Initiative: China’s Techno-Nationalism in the Middle East." In: Rajaoson, J., Edimo, R.M.M. (eds) New Nationalisms and China's Belt and Road Initiative. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 259–276. (URL)
Wu, Zeying. (2018). "Youth Nationalism in Japan during the Lost Decades," Japan Studies Review, Vol. 22, pp. 31-50. (URL)

Nationalism & Disinformation

Fascinated by the intricate interplay between nationalism and disinformation in the digital age, I have beem collaborating with scholars from diverse fields and regions to investigate how internet users from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan perceive official narratives surrounding Japan's release of treated nuclear wastewater. Our ongoing project has garnered multiple research grants, empowering us to employ a combination of methodologies, including online survey experiments and focus group discussions. Through this approach, we aim to uncover causal relationships and delve into the underlying mechanisms at play.

Ideas Matter!

My passion for understanding nationalism is deeply intertwined with my unwavering belief that ideas serve as a primary driving force behind most political, economic, and social phenomena, rather than merely being secondary to material conditions. I firmly believe that current social science research often overlooks the significance of ideas as a causal element, largely due to its methodological constraints. Therefore, I aspire to contribute to the revival of Max Weber's ideational approach within social science research, especially in the realms of political economy and development studies, which are frequently dominated by positivism.

Throughout my journey at Boston University, both Professors Liah Greenfeld and Vivien Schmidt have inspired me immensely and provided invaluable support as I pursue an ideational research framework capable of empirically—if not scientifically—exploring the causal relationships and mechanisms inherent in ideas. As part of this endeavor, I have translated the introductory and philosophical sections of Mind, Modernity, and Madness: The Impact of Culture on Human Experience (by Liah Greenfeld, published by Harvard University Press) from English into Chinese. This translation is published by Shanghai Sanlian.(上海三联) (URL).