Call for Papers: Special Issue on “Nation Building, Nationalism, and Chinese Religions”
Journal for the Study of Religion and History (JSRH)
ISSN: 3068-4803 | Semi-Annual | Open Access (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Guest Editor: Zihao He
PhD in Religious Studies (University of Edinburgh)
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9108-832X
Introduction
Since the seventeenth century, modern nationalism has fundamentally shaped the principles and structures of global society, establishing the sovereign nation-state as the primary unit of world order. Significant historical milestones of this phenomenon are deeply rooted in Western history, including the formation of the Westphalian system, the French Revolution, the expansion of Napoleonic France, and the unifications of modern Germany and Italy. Eventually, modern nationalism was introduced to late imperial China as a core component of a broader modernization package modeled after the West.
Extensive academic debate surrounds the definition, origin, and development of nationalism. Some would argue that nationalism is an organic evolution of communities bound by cultural consistency and shared history, suggesting that proto-nationalism existed in pre-modern times and outside the Western world. Conversely, modernist theorists contend that nationalism is a distinctly modern construct—an artificial creation driven by the "imagination" of a community.
Religion further complicates these debates. On the one hand, religion can serve as a cornerstone of shared cultural identity, providing the foundation for national consciousness. On the other hand, religion and modern nationalism are frequently in tension. Following the Enlightenment and the subsequent wave of secularization, religion and secular nationalism emerged as competing ideologies of social order. As religious authority was increasingly confined to the private sphere and decoupled from politics and education, secular nationalism became the primary source of legitimacy for the nation-state. While classical secularization theory predicted that religion would gradually recede as human rationality and modern nationalism advanced, the contemporary world tells a different story. Today, we witness both the global resurgence of "religious nationalism" and vibrant, concurrent expressions of religious and national commitments.
Given these complex dynamics, it is crucial to enrich this global discourse with Chinese perspectives, histories, and empirical cases. Therefore, we invite scholarly contributions that examine the history and development of nationalism in the Chinese context, with a particular focus on its multifaceted, evolving relationship with Chinese religions. We especially welcome papers that seek to advance, complement, challenge, or critique existing theoretical frameworks regarding the nexus of nationalism and religion.
Aims of the Special Issue
- Critically re-evaluate global theories of nationalism and secularization by anchoring the discussion in the historical experiences of Chinese religions.
- Challenge Eurocentric Paradigms: Question and expand conventional Western-centric theories of nationalism, modernization and religion by introducing China’s unique historical trajectories.
- Illuminate how Chinese religions have actively shaped, negotiated, or resisted the discourse of nation-building.
- Create a robust intellectual space where historians, sociologists, anthropologists, political scientists, and religious study scholars can share their insights on Chinese modernity and nationalism.
Scope and Suggested Topics
We welcome original research from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including history, religious studies, sociology, anthropology, theology, and political science. Contributions may be grounded in theoretical exploration, historical analysis, or empirical case studies. Potential lines of inquiry include, but are not limited to:
- Historical Foundations and Transitions
What were the pre-modern roots and historical foundations of modern nationalism in China? Can we discern a form of "proto-nationalism" in Chinese history, and how did it interface with institutionalized and popular (folk) religions?
How did traditional concepts such as Tianxia (All-under-Heaven) and imperial cosmologies transform into modern constructs of "Zhongguo"?
What was the role of religion in this transition, especially among the late Qing reformers and Republican intellectuals? To what extent did religious rituals, symbols, or beliefs facilitate or resist this conceptual shift?
- State-Building, Secularism, and Governance
What is the multifaceted relationship between the rise of modern Chinese nationalism in late Qing and Republican era and the conceptualization of "religion" (zongjiao) as a modern, Western-imported category?
How did the historical binaries—such as "legitimate religion" versus "superstition"—serve the foundational agenda of secular nation-building and early modern citizenship?
How to understand the intersection of religious practice, citizenship, and patriotic education?
- Theoretical and Methodological Reflections
In what ways do Chinese historical trajectories and empirical cases complement, challenge, or critique classical Western paradigms, such as classical secularization theory or Benedict Anderson’s concept of "imagined communities"?
What are the unique Chinese sources and examples to conceptualize and think about nationalism and religions?
Submission Guidelines
- Language: Manuscripts must be submitted in English.
- Article Type: We are soliciting full-length scholarly research articles. Book reviews or commentaries on the theme may also be considered.
- Style Guide: Manuscripts should include a title, abstract (200-250 words), 4-5 keywords, main text, conclusion, footnotes, and a bibliography.
- Length: There is no strict word limit, but articles typically range between 7,000 to 10,000 words (including notes and references).
- Originality: Submissions must be original work, not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
- Peer Review: All research articles will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process.
- Fees & Remuneration: In line with JSRH's policy, there are no submission, processing, or publication fees (APCs). Authors of accepted papers will receive a remuneration of no less than RMB 3,000, subject to tax regulations.
Important Dates
- Deadline for Abstract/Proposal (Optional but Encouraged): 1st November 2026. Please send a 300-word abstract and a brief bio to the guest editor for preliminary feedback. hzh_jx2021@163.com
- Deadline for Full Manuscript Submission: 31st December 2026.
- Expected Publication: June 2027 (VOL. 5, NO.1).
Contact and Submission
Please submit your full manuscript via email to the special issue editors and the journal's office:
- Primary Contact/Submission Email:
JSRH@ccspub.cc and ReligionAndHistory@163.com.
- Subject Line: "Submission for Special Issue: Nation Building, Nationalism, and Chinese Religions "
For more information about the Journal for the Study of Religion and History, including its full aims and scope, editorial board, and access to previous articles, please visit the official website: https://ccspub.cc/jsrh
