Andrew Walder is a prominent American sociologist and sinologist, currently serving as the Denise O'Leary and Kent Thiry Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University. His research focuses on the areas of comparative sociology, organizational analysis, and Chinese society, with a particular emphasis on the transformation of state socialism and the rise of market economies in China.
Academic Background and Career
Andrew Walder received his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Columbia University in 1973. He then pursued his graduate studies at the University of Michigan, earning his Master’s degree in 1975 and Ph.D. in Sociology in 1981. Walder’s academic career began at Harvard University, where he worked as a lecturer and then an assistant professor from 1980 to 1987. He moved to Stanford University in 1987, initially as an associate professor, and was promoted to full professor in 1994.
Research Focus and Contributions
Walder’s scholarly work has been highly influential in the field of sociology, particularly in the areas of organizational analysis, comparative sociology, and Chinese studies. His early research focused on the organizational and social aspects of state socialism, with a particular emphasis on China. In his book Communist Neo-Traditionalism: Work and Authority in Chinese Industry (1986), Walder examined the role of patron-client relationships and personal networks in Chinese industrial enterprises during the Mao era. This work challenged conventional views of socialist organizations and highlighted the importance of informal social structures in shaping workplace dynamics.
Walder's subsequent research has continued to explore the transformation of Chinese society and economy, with a focus on the emergence of new social classes, the growth of entrepreneurship, and the evolution of China's economic institutions. His book Fractured Rebellion: The Beijing Red Guard Movement (2009) provides a detailed analysis of the social and organizational factors that contributed to the factionalism and violence of the Red Guard movement during the Cultural Revolution. More recently, Walder has explored the impact of China's economic reforms on social inequality, education, and the labor market, and has written extensively on the implications of China's rise for the global economy and international relations.
| Publication | Year |
|---|---|
| Communist Neo-Traditionalism: Work and Authority in Chinese Industry | 1986 |
| Fractured Rebellion: The Beijing Red Guard Movement | 2009 |
Teaching and Service
Walder has taught a wide range of courses at Stanford, including introductory sociology, comparative sociology, and graduate seminars on organizational analysis and Chinese society. He has also served as the director of the Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions and has been a member of the editorial boards of several leading sociology and China studies journals, including the American Journal of Sociology and The China Quarterly.
Professional Affiliations and Honors
Walder is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Committee on United States-China Relations. He has also received the Stanford University Bing Fellowship for excellence in teaching and the Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation’s (CISAC) Fellowship for his research on China’s economic and security policies.
Throughout his career, Walder has been committed to promoting a deeper understanding of Chinese society and economy, and has worked to foster collaboration and exchange between scholars and policymakers in the United States and China. His research and teaching have had a profound impact on the field of sociology and China studies, and continue to shape our understanding of the complex social, economic, and political transformations underway in China today.
What is Andrew Walder’s current research focus?
+Andrew Walder’s current research focus is on the social and economic implications of China’s rise, including the growth of new social classes, the evolution of economic institutions, and the impact of China’s economic reforms on social inequality and education.
What are some of Andrew Walder’s notable publications?
+Some of Andrew Walder’s notable publications include Communist Neo-Traditionalism: Work and Authority in Chinese Industry (1986) and Fractured Rebellion: The Beijing Red Guard Movement (2009). He has also published numerous articles and book chapters on topics related to Chinese society, economy, and politics.
