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Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

Section 8. Governing System

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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Outline

• Introduction• Overview and characteristics of social thoughts in

China• “Inside the system” social thoughts• “Outside the system” social thoughts• Road ahead

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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Introduction

• During the Cultural Revolution, all Chinese pinned decorative buttons with Mao’s picture on them.

• Criticizing and making fun of leaders, and the discussing the governance of the CPC are now popular.⁻ But no talking about replacing CPC.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

Map Buttons and Map Pins

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Introduction

• Some conversations are not just for complaining and venting, but actually reflect political philosophies.

• The distinct schools of political thought and public debate among them may come as a big surprise to many.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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A brief history of social thoughts

• Many different political ideas were introduced, revisited, discussed, and debated after the May 4th Movement of 1919.

• These debates continue today in academic publications, blogs

and social media, and around dinner tables.

• The Chinese are seeking the right way to transit to a world-class nation

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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Overview and characteristics of social thoughts in China

• Three major characteristics

1. Detachment from politics⁻ not attached to specific political parties or movements;

⁻ no corresponding political movements or parties that espouse particular social thoughts;

⁻ officials do lean towards particular social thoughts and even implement policies consistent with those ideas.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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Overview and characteristics of social thoughts in China

2. Problem orientation

⁻ all oriented toward solving the most urgent social problems

3. Agreement on foreign political issues

⁻ no debate on topics such as foreign policy (territory disputes), gay rights, racism, or taxation.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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“Inside the system” social thoughts

• Topics of internal debate within the CPC

• The dominant social thoughts: the so-called Socialist Market Economy with Chinese Characteristics (or the Deng Theory)

⁻ The Cat Theory: “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a white cat or a black cat, whichever can catch the mouse is the good cat.”

⁻ The Stone Theory: “You wade through an unfamiliar river by feeling where the river stones are.”

⁻ The No quarrelling story: stop quarrelling which only complicates matters and wastes valuable time

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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“Inside the system” social thoughts

• Two additional types of social thoughts: the Old Leftwing and the New Leftwing⁻ Old Leftwing proponents want to get rid of the market economy and insist on a

pure socialistic society;

⁻ New Leftwing proponents oppose the market economy, capitalism, globalization and generally regard the Cultural Revolution as positive

E.g., Sing Red in Chongqing

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

Neo-Maoist celebrity Sima Nan, believes the late leader is greater than philosopher Confucius

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“Outside the system” social thoughts

• Liberalism, the key representation of “outside the system” social thoughts.

⁻ supports a constitution-based system and universal rights.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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“Outside the system” social thoughts

• Populism and nationalism also have emerged. ⁻ nationalists see the West as evil; they oppose globalization, and typically

support a more militarily aggressive stance;⁻ populist social thoughts are based on opposing a substantial wealth gap

in society.

• New Confucianism advocate for a society that is governed based on the doctrines of Confucianism.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts

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Road ahead

• We see the national policies being influenced by some of the sentiments underpinning these social thoughts, especially nationalism and populism.

• Intellectuals are spending less time developing and debating social thoughts, and fewer are doing so.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 39. Social Thoughts