Chinese Nationalism: Challenging the State? (original) (raw)
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The Copenhagen Journal of Asian Studies, 2005
Nationalism and national self-assertion have been core values of the Chinese Communist Party throughout its history and also represent a key narrative of Chinese history in the 20th century, although the social bases from which the nationalism derives and the manner in which this nationalism is expressed have changed over time. From the 1990s onwards, the party-state's prefferred discourse on nationalism has been couched in terms of patriotism, while a popular nationalism has emerged, which at times goes beyond and challenges that of the party-state. The implications of this are addressed in the present paper wiht regard to the PRC's relations with Taiwan and Japan and with regard to the debate on ideology and Asian Values. It is argued that rising popular nationalism increasingly challenges state autonomy in the first two areas, but tends to be supportive of the state with regard to the third.
From Rival to Collaborator: The Curious Case of Resurgent Nationalism in China
In this article, first, the causes and the characteristics of the resurgent nationalism in China are examined. To that end, emergence of nationalism in China in the early 20 th century, simply old nationalism, and reemergence of nationalism in China in the late 20 th century, simply new nationalism, are discussed, and the two nationalisms are to be contrasted. An important argument here is that the main objective of old nationalism was to be a nation, emphasizing the need and the desire to resemble other nations, while the main objective of new nationalism is to become the nation, emphasizing the need and the desire to assert the peculiarity of the nation. Second, this article addresses the issue that while old nationalism was a fatal rival of the state, the Imperial Court, in the early 20 th century, new nationalism is a vital collaborator of the state, the Communist government. Accordingly, the causes of this rather intriguing transformation are to be evaluated.
Development of nationalism in China
Cogent Social Sciences , 2016
Nationalism in China emerged through historical experiences of greatness and humiliation. Until the 19th century, the Chinese were proud of its civilization and considered themselves as the centre of the world. Humiliation in the wars with Britain and Japan created new feelings of nationalism in China. The nature of the nationalism changed according to variation in its relation with western countries. This paper analyzes four stages in the development of nationalism in China, i.e. socialist oriented state control nationalism, liberal nationalism, Patriotic Nationalism and cyber-nationalism. It analyzes major features of each stage, and the causes lead to change from one stage to another. It examines top-down and bottom-up aspects in the development of nationalist feeling and concludes that even though the communist party has major role in creating a civic nationalism through its restriction on media and education system, the Chinese people show highly nationalist feeling even in abroad where they can access international media.
Nationalism, Ideology and China's ‘Fourth Generation’ Leadership
Journal of Contemporary China, 2005
This paper examines the extent to which China's 'Fourth generation' leadership might be inclined to place a greater emphasis on nationalist rhetoric both in China's international relations and in domestic policy. It explores two different views of nationalism, namely statecentred and popular. With the decline in the public impact of official ideology, the Partystate has given tacit recognition to nationalism as one potential source of regime legitimisation. However, this article argues that by placing the Party at the centre of the official discourse the state-centred view of nationalism restricts the extent to which the Partystate can mobilise nationalist symbolism in support of its leadership and makes the Party vulnerable to criticism from more popular conceptions of nationalism. The priority given to developing the economy means China's leaders must downplay popular criticism which can focus on the negative consequences of China's growing interaction with the wider world. Under China's 'Fourth generation' leadership this tension may deepen. China's new leadership are unlikely to resort to 'wrapping themselves in the flag' as some commentators have suggested.
This study investigates the important influence of nationalism in Chinese foreign policy. Behind the pragmatic strategy of Chinese foreign policy underlying Chinese nationalism, which is appropriated by most of the Chinese people and especially by Communist regime critics. However, some of the Western analysts are estimated negative effect of rising nationalism in China because in modern world nationalism has often resulted in irrational behavior and cause international conflicts. Chinese government considering this situation tries to propose multilateralism in foreign policy, as an effective way for Beijing to increase its regional power. This article seeks answers to two related questions in the context of China’s rising nationalism, has the China potential aggressive foreign policy direction influenced by nationalism and supported by its new request of wealth and power? Is China ready to develop multilateralism and find compromise between nationalism and multilateralism and assume international responsibility as a great power? Focusing on Chinese foreign policy after 2008, the article finds that China becomes more pretentious in defense of national interests.
Rise of Modern Chinese Nationalism
Recently, the rise of Chinese nationalism has attracted a great deal of attention and caused widespread anxiety in Western and Asian countries. Yet what China watchers call Chinese nationalism is a complex phenomenon and several forms co-exist not only one kind. Since May 4th Movement of 1919 nationalism in China have been on the forefront in making politics. From 1990s onwards following Tiananmen incident and the collapse of Soviet Union nationalism has regained its place in political discourse of Communist Party. Recent manifestations of nationalistic feelings as seen in dispute over Daiyou Islands with Japan reveal a particular feature of Chinese nationalism negatively directed to outsiders. But the resurgence of Chinese nationalism is not only the result of antagonistic relations with the West and Japan but also it is a response to the decline of central power. This paper will not discuss the concept of nationalism but rather try to gain insight into the factors that incited Chinese nationalism in the past and present. Basic argument I want to make here is Chinese nationalism has a plural character, as a phenomenon it has a historical background and it is not just a product of state propaganda. This paper is organized as follows. First it will briefly explain historical background that nurtured nationalist thinking in Chinese mainland. Further it will interpret the development of Chinese nationalism and examine diverse nationalist responses to China’s problems.