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November 30, 2004

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Dirty words

China's modern history has, amongst other things, proven the power of words. Mao in particular turned the country upside down with his "capitalist roaders", "counter-revolutionaries" and other accusations. Amongst Mao's "achievements" was to turn the word "intellectual" into one of derision and suspicion. Yet since his demise the concept of the intellectual has regained a measure of respect and dignity in public discource. But now the worm is turning again.


In a move intended to muffle the voices of some of China's most prominent and independent scholars and activists, hard-line elements in the new Hu Jintao government are seeking to eradicate the concept of "public intellectuals" in China.
A new "gray list" has been created, sources say, of historians, economists, writers, environmentalists, and other Chinese who have offered a critical voice or been influential in recent years in Chinese society outside official circles, and who have started to be referred to as "public intellectuals."...

Public intellectuals in China are known for opposing brutal police practices; for promoting greater citizen participation, AIDS awareness, freer speech; and for advocating environmentally friendly policies.

Propaganda ministry officials are now seeking to eliminate the concept of public intellectuals, and to stop Chinese media from creating lists of such persons as a commercial enticement to buy their publications. In recent weeks, official warnings have gone out to state-run newspapers, magazines, and TV urging limits on the use of those who have been heard under the "public intellectual" moniker.

The entire article from the CSM is worth a read, summarising the recent moves against intellectuals and accusations against these "elites". What seemed to be an experiment in controlled dissent is now coming to an end, as the CCP finds it has limits to the criticism it can take. The question is whether the genie can be put back into the bottle. I doubt it can. Even if these intellectuals are pushed out of the press, China is fast developing other means of communication and expression that are not so easily controlled. China's leadership needs to start contemplating more constructive ways of dealing with dissent than simply banning it. Many of the issues raised by these "intellectuals" are those felt by the general population. Intellectuals can act as both a weather vane and a safety valve.

Closing your eyes doesn't make the problems go away.

 posted by Simon on 11.30.04 at 02:46 PM in the




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Comments:

About your last sentence: Communist rulers are the problem, not intellectuals.

Best.

Enzo

 posted by: 1972 on 11.30.04 at 10:47 PM [permalink]

PRC people use the word "Bourgeois" (小资) as praise, or to describe an ideal lifestyle or . In Canada, we use that exact same word as a soft insult! ALL of my Beijing friends dream of being identified as "bourgeois".

To a lesser extent, the same can be said of the word "Patriot": I can hardly imagine Canadian politicians accusing their political opponents of being unpatriotic. However, it is often the case in the PRC or even HK.

posted by: Charles on 12.07.04 at 03:08 PM [permalink]




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