Politics in China since 1949

Legitimizing Authoritarian Rule

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Politics in China since 1949 by Robert Weatherley, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert Weatherley ISBN: 9781134166565
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: January 24, 2007
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Robert Weatherley
ISBN: 9781134166565
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: January 24, 2007
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Since the victory of the 1949 revolution the incumbency of the Chinese Communist Party has been characterized by an almost relentless struggle to legitimize its monopoly on political power. During the Mao era, attempts to derive legitimacy focused primarily on mass participation in political affairs, a blend of Marxist and nationalist ideology, and the charismatic authority of Mao Zedong. The dramatic failure of the Cultural Revolution forced the post-Mao leadership to discard these discredited paradigms of legitimacy and move towards an almost exclusively performance based concept founded on market economic reform.

The reforms during the 1980s generated a number of unwelcome but inevitable side effects such as official corruption, high unemployment and significant socio-economic inequality. These factors culminated ultimately in the 1989 demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and throughout China. Since Tiananmen the party has sought to diversify the basis of its legitimacy by adhering more closely to constitutional procedures in decision making and, to a certain extent, by reinventing itself as a conservative nationalist party.

This probing study of post-communist revolution Chinese politics sets out to discover if there is a plausible alternative to the electoral mode or if legitimacy is the exclusive domain of the multi-party system.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Since the victory of the 1949 revolution the incumbency of the Chinese Communist Party has been characterized by an almost relentless struggle to legitimize its monopoly on political power. During the Mao era, attempts to derive legitimacy focused primarily on mass participation in political affairs, a blend of Marxist and nationalist ideology, and the charismatic authority of Mao Zedong. The dramatic failure of the Cultural Revolution forced the post-Mao leadership to discard these discredited paradigms of legitimacy and move towards an almost exclusively performance based concept founded on market economic reform.

The reforms during the 1980s generated a number of unwelcome but inevitable side effects such as official corruption, high unemployment and significant socio-economic inequality. These factors culminated ultimately in the 1989 demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and throughout China. Since Tiananmen the party has sought to diversify the basis of its legitimacy by adhering more closely to constitutional procedures in decision making and, to a certain extent, by reinventing itself as a conservative nationalist party.

This probing study of post-communist revolution Chinese politics sets out to discover if there is a plausible alternative to the electoral mode or if legitimacy is the exclusive domain of the multi-party system.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book International English Usage by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Children's Strategies by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Teacher Unions, Social Movements and the Politics of Education in Asia by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book The Dynamics of New Firm Formation by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Fragments of Inequality by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book A History of Nature Conservation in Britain by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Last Years of Long Lives by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Dictionary of Media and Communications by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Space Unveiled by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book The Architecture of Percier and Fontaine and the Struggle for Sovereignty in Revolutionary France by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Diderot's Part by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book The State of the Prisons - 200 Years On by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Politics, Planning and the City by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Regional Dynamics by Robert Weatherley
Cover of the book Minority Rights in Turkey by Robert Weatherley
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy