Download full text
(external source)
Citation Suggestion
Please use the following Persistent Identifier (PID) to cite this document:
https://doi.org/10.1177/18681026221119220
Exports for your reference manager
Shades of red: changing understandings of political loyalty in the Chinese Communist Party, 1921-2021
[journal article]
Abstract While changes in Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recruitment are generally described as different phases focused on recruiting either "reds" or "experts," giving more or less weight to political or technical criteria, we instead stress the importance of changing understandings of political loyalty to ... view more
While changes in Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recruitment are generally described as different phases focused on recruiting either "reds" or "experts," giving more or less weight to political or technical criteria, we instead stress the importance of changing understandings of political loyalty to examine these evolutions. By tracing these changes throughout the party's 100 years, we show that how the party understands loyalty is largely strategic, detached from a purely ideological approach. The CCP has alternatively approached loyalty in ascriptive terms, based on class background, and behavioural ones, looking at active displays of loyalty or passive obedience. The level and form of activism expected from party members and cadres have also dramatically changed over time. Relying on recruitment data, this article shows that it is paradoxically during periods of party expansion that the CCP becomes more politically demanding with its members.... view less
Keywords
China; communist party; loyalty; recruitment; historical development; political leadership; party base
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
Parteiapparat; Politische Partei; Zhong guo gong chan dang
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 386-410
Journal
Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, 51 (2022) 3
ISSN
1868-4874
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed