China's Intellectuals and the State: In Search of a New Relationship

Description

Today's intellectuals in China inherit a mixed tradition in terms of their relationship to the state. Some follow the Confucian literati watchdog role of criticizing abuses of political power. Marxist intellectuals judge the state's practices on the basis of Communist ideals. Others prefer the May Fourth spirit, dedicated to the principles of free scholarly and artistic expression. The Chinese government, for its part, has undulated in its treatment of intellectuals, applying restraints when free expression threatened to get "out of control," relaxing controls when state policies required the cooperation, good will, and expertise of intellectuals. In this stimulating work, twelve China scholars examine that troubled and changing relationship. They focus primarily on the post-Mao years when bitter memories of the Cultural Revolution and China's renewed quest for modernization have at times allowed intellectuals increased leeway in expression and more influence in policy-making. Specialists examine the situation with respect to economists, lawyers, scientists and technocrats, writers, and humanist scholars in the climate of Deng Xiaoping's policies, and speculate about future developments. This book will be a valuable source of information for anyone interested in the changing scene in contemporary China and in its relations with the outside world. China's Intellectuals and the State: In Search of a New Relationship CONTRIBUTORS CONTENTS Introduction: Uncertain Change PART ONE IDEOLOGICAL SPOKESMAN 1 Ai Siqi: Professional Philosopher and Establishment Intellectual PART TWO PROFESSIONAL ELITE 2 Economists and Economic Policy-Making in the Early 1960s 3. The Politics of Historiography: Jian Bazan's Historicism 4 Law and Legal Professionalism in the People's Republic of China 5 China's Scientists and Technologists in the Post-Mao Era: A Retrospective and Prospective Glimpse PART THREE CRITICAL INTELLECTUALS 6 The Emergence of Humanism: "Wang Ruoshui and the Critique of Socialist Alienation 159 7 The Chinese Writer in His Own Mirror: Writer, State, and Society-the Literary Evidence 8 Keeper of the Flame: "Wang Ruowang as Moral Critic of the State PART FOUR THE PARTY'S POLICIES TOWARD INTELLECTUALS 9 Thought Workers in Deng's Time 10 Conclusion: New Trends under Deng Xiaoping and His Successors Notes Index