This book examines and theorizes the dynamics and complexities of leadership in citizenship
education in junior secondary schools in Shanghai China. Specifically it examines from a
macro- and micro-political theoretical perspective the interactions between principals and
school party secretaries (SPSs) and how they respond to the demands of macro- and
micro-political actors. This qualitative empirical research found four major school leadership
citizenship education scenarios in which principals and SPSs addressed the interests of
different macro- and micro-political actors. Moreover principals and SPSs enjoyed a
complicated working relationship at the micro-political (school) level in which they
collaborated to fulfill their responsibilities and respond to school macro- and micro-political
actors while competing for power over leadership in citizenship education. Principals' and
SPSs' leadership in citizenship education was shaped by inter-related factors including
diverseinfluences in a multi-leveled world the integration of politics and education the
demands of macro- and micro-political actors and personal factors. To interpret these findings
this study proposes a theoretical framework for understanding leadership in citizenship
education in China as a political exercise. This theoretical framework is useful for
understanding the complexity of school and citizenship education leadership the
micro-political relationship between Chinese principals and SPSs and their dynamic and complex
interactions with macro- and micro-political actors.
