رواد الثقافة .. الأعمال والسياسة في مجال بيع الكتب المستقل في الصين

In recent decades, so-called "independent bookstores" have spread in China. In the West, these bookstores represent an alternative to large corporations and bookstore chains. In China, these libraries are distinguished not only from the Xinhua Government Library, but also from other private libraries, by focusing on intellectual independence and freedom to exchange ideas. Culture Pioneers takes readers on a journey into the world of independent bookselling in China, showing how a wide range of personalities overcome the challenges of bookselling in the digital age amid rapidly changing social, political, and economic dynamics. Drawing on more than a decade of in-depth research—including interviews, observations, and extensive documentary analysis—Cheng Liu reveals how these libraries establish a unique identity and distinctive position in the market. She develops the concept of “culturally adaptive strategy” to explain how independent bookstores - as specialized cultural institutions and flexible businesses - balance economic imperatives with a deep commitment to intellectual independence. Liu challenges the tendency to understand non-governmental cultural institutions in China through a lens of resistance, arguing that independent bookstores engage in politics as a strategic means of distinguishing themselves from their competitors. Rich in detail and engaging style, Culture Pioneers offers a new vision of the interaction between culture, commerce and politics in China, providing insights into the evolving dynamics of China's publishing industry and broader cultural economy.