This book places the topic of the state and society in the context of modern development in
China over the past century investigating the dynamic relation and internal tension between
the state's power enhancement and society's vitality activation instead of simply regarding the
country and society as two separate entities. Building a modern country and activating the
people's vitality involves three closely linked and mutually supporting aspects: establishing
the identity recognition of the people to unite the nation adjusting the organizational system
of the society to promote mobilization and institute a social incentive system and determining
dominant strategies and means for the interaction between the country and society to address
social-governance issues. This book carefully sheds light on the logic behind China's
roundabout strategy for building a modern country and motivating the vitality of its people.
