So we just talked about different kinds of repression in class today. In the context of China, one of the most prevalent kinds is of course the political repression of freedom of expression…
This Wall Street Journal’s article talks about how China’s social-media services have started cracking down on searches for anything in regard to Bo Xilai (who was removed from the CCP last Wednesday), as well as how Chinese Internet users have tried to outsmart the censorship system.
“Chinese Internet users are searching alternative terms to get around censors for mroe on Bo Xilai’s ouster, coup rumors and a Ferrari crash.”
Seeing how innovative the Chinese can be in outsmarting the censorship system, my (/our) belief that in the long-run authoritarianism would not win is bolstered. As long as people have the will to participate politically, they will strive to organize collective actions despite all the restraints. While the success of outsmarting the censorship system is unknown at this point, we can see that many Chinese are not apolitical and are actively pursuing their freedom of expression. In sum, I believe that if grass-roots movements are persistent and adroit enough, they will have the potential to overthrow a repressive regime.
Meanwhile, stepping up the censorship system at this early stage appears to me that, the CCP is demonstrating its resolution to remain authoritarian. The CCP’s overreaction to the issue seems to me as an irony. Given on the same day of Bo Xilai’s ouster, Premier Wen Jaibo gave a speech at the National People’s Congress annual session to (once again) express his endorsement for democratization of China (which he claimed needs to be implemented gradually because of China’s immature social and economic conditions). While I do not mean Mr. Wen was paying lip-service, I feel like we really need not take the claims of political leaders too seriously (and sadly I believe this acknowledgement may apply to democracies too….)
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4 responses so far ↓
This is a very interesting article Mandy! This article really nods to the Mini-assignment for week 9 as it really shows how tecnhology can facilitate the democratization process. While nothings has actually happened it China yet, the fact that people are using the internet to undermine the restraints imposed by the Chinese government. It will be interesting to see if grassroots movements will have the ability to change this repressive regime.
Thanks Amanda! It is interesting that you look at the issue through a different angle. For me, I only feel that the Chinese are trying to escape from the censorship, without taking any steps further. But you are certainly right that they are meanwhile “undermining” the CCP’s restraints, especially when they are going against the CCP’s will by obtaining uncensored information.
hey,
we both wrote on chinese censorship. i missed this article in the WSJ.
i find it interesting that you point to the Chinese public as outsmarting the government in such a way as changing characters in phrases over the internet as being related to overthrowing the regime. i guess it all has to start somewhere i’ve just grown cynical.
i guess my question to you is, do you see big political change in china occurring anytime soon?
i used to. then i watched this and i found it very insightful.
http://www.ted.com/talks/martin_jacques_understanding_the_rise_of_china.html
if you’re not a TED talks person don’t worry, I’m not either. but yeah in terms of china and oppression I found this one fascinating
Hi Oren, I know Mr.Jacques! He is the author of “When China rules the world”, which I still havent got the time to read. I like how he uses the historical/ cultural perspective to analyze China’s future role in world. Mr. Jacques suggests that the Chinese regime acts in a patriarchal way even though the country is very pluralistic, I do not think that his perspectives implies China does not want to democratize itself.
In answering your question, I believe that China will democratize itself not because of foreign pressure, but for its own good. Meanwhile, I dont see any “big” political changes will happen anytime soon. I believe changes will happen gradually, because I can tell the conflicts between liberal and conservative politicians would not be easily reconcilable.
P.s. I am a Ted-talk super fan!