The Mandate of Heaven

Marx and Mao in modern China

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Economic Conditions, Government, Communism & Socialism, International
Cover of the book The Mandate of Heaven by Nigel Harris, Haymarket Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Nigel Harris ISBN: 9781608465101
Publisher: Haymarket Books Publication: September 7, 2015
Imprint: Haymarket Books Language: English
Author: Nigel Harris
ISBN: 9781608465101
Publisher: Haymarket Books
Publication: September 7, 2015
Imprint: Haymarket Books
Language: English

For radicals in Europe and North America, the anti-imperialist-and Chinese-revolutions continued the great task of 1789, 1848, and 1870, the “bourgeois revolution” in Marx’s terms, and the creation of nations that would release the energies and unity of purpose to create new worlds of prosperity and freedom. The nationalist focus led to an emphasis on autarkic development-the nation, it was said, already possessed within its own boundaries all the requirements and resources to match the accomplishments of global civilization.

The overthrow of empire in the 1950s and 1960s-of which the coming to power of the Chinese Communist party in 1949 was a important part-seemed to augur a new era in world history, one in which the majority of the world’s population secured liberation. There was perhaps a sense in which this was true, but the reality for the majority was far removed from this giddy hope. And in the case of the ordinary Chinese, the newly “liberated” regime proved far more brutal and exacting than those that it had replaced (which also attained high standards of brutality and injustice). In China the great famine of 1958–62 was only the most spectacularly cruel and gratuitous product of that new order.

For the former inhabitants of the old empires, national liberation turned out to be not liberation of all, but the creation of a new national ruling class, as often as not exploiting its position at home to make fortunes then smuggled abroad.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

For radicals in Europe and North America, the anti-imperialist-and Chinese-revolutions continued the great task of 1789, 1848, and 1870, the “bourgeois revolution” in Marx’s terms, and the creation of nations that would release the energies and unity of purpose to create new worlds of prosperity and freedom. The nationalist focus led to an emphasis on autarkic development-the nation, it was said, already possessed within its own boundaries all the requirements and resources to match the accomplishments of global civilization.

The overthrow of empire in the 1950s and 1960s-of which the coming to power of the Chinese Communist party in 1949 was a important part-seemed to augur a new era in world history, one in which the majority of the world’s population secured liberation. There was perhaps a sense in which this was true, but the reality for the majority was far removed from this giddy hope. And in the case of the ordinary Chinese, the newly “liberated” regime proved far more brutal and exacting than those that it had replaced (which also attained high standards of brutality and injustice). In China the great famine of 1958–62 was only the most spectacularly cruel and gratuitous product of that new order.

For the former inhabitants of the old empires, national liberation turned out to be not liberation of all, but the creation of a new national ruling class, as often as not exploiting its position at home to make fortunes then smuggled abroad.

More books from Haymarket Books

Cover of the book 1905 by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Impossible Revolution by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Song of the Stubborn One Thousand by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Year 501 by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book On Antisemitism by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book China on Strike by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book After the Cataclysm by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Class Struggle and the Color Line by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Call Them by Their True Names by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Europe in Revolt by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book The End of Imagination by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Nadie es ilegal by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Fateful Triangle by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Unfinished Leninism by Nigel Harris
Cover of the book Black Liberation and Socialism by Nigel Harris
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy