Democratic Centralism in Revolutionary China: Tensions within a People’s Democratic Dictatorship

Howland, Douglas (2017) Democratic Centralism in Revolutionary China: Tensions within a People’s Democratic Dictatorship. Open Journal of Philosophy, 07 (04). pp. 448-466. ISSN 2163-9434

[thumbnail of OJPP_2017101216273319.pdf] Text
OJPP_2017101216273319.pdf - Published Version

Download (354kB)

Abstract

Democratic centralism was a revolutionary strategy to reorganize society in China after 1949; it was the key governing aspect of Mao Zedong’s “people’s democratic dictatorship.” This essay explores the tensions between democracy and centralization in the practice of democratic centralism in 1950s Shanghai. Youth and workers groups reports reveal a high degree of commitment to open debate, elections, self-organization, and new forms of leadership. Other priorities, however—a strong central state regime—would come to dominate and, after 1957, centralism and unity cancelled democracy.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Digital Open Archives > Social Sciences and Humanities
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@digiopenarchives.com
Date Deposited: 07 Jul 2023 04:00
Last Modified: 14 Sep 2024 04:10
URI: http://geographical.openuniversityarchive.com/id/eprint/1607

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item