China's New Red Guards: The Return of Radicalism and the Rebirth of Mao Zedong

Jude Blanchette's book "China's New Red Guards" explores two trends in contemporary China that point to its revival of Mao Zedong's legacy, resulting in a more authoritarian and militaristic China. The book highlights the increasing state control over the economy, the attack on civil society, and the CCP's expansion of reach under current leader Xi Jinping. Additionally, there is a bottom-up revolt against Western ideas of modernity, reinforced by nationalist intellectuals and activists who advocate for Mao's policies. The book will reshape our understanding of the political forces driving contemporary China and demonstrate how ideologies can survive and prosper despite rumors of their demise.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 12 July 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In China's New Red Guards, Jude Blanchette sheds light on two trends in contemporary China that indicate the revival of Mao Zedong's legacy, leading to a more authoritarian and militaristic nation. Since Deng Xiaoping de-radicalized China in the 1980s, there have been ongoing debates about China's future trajectory. Would it democratize, embrace capitalism, or face challenges to the Communist Party's rule in the digital age? However, one significant debate that went unnoticed was the possibility of Mao Zedong's political comeback. As Blanchette meticulously reveals in China's New Red Guards, contemporary China is experiencing a revival of an unapologetic embrace of extreme authoritarianism, drawing direct inspiration from the Mao era. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the Chinese government is exerting increasing control over the economy, civil society is facing sustained attacks, and the Communist Party is expanding its reach in unprecedented ways. Xi Jinping declared in late 2017 that the party should lead all sectors of society, including the government, military, civil society, and schools, in all parts of the country. This trend is further reinforced by a bottom-up revolt against Western ideas of modernity, including political pluralism, the rule of law, and the free market economy. At the center of this movement are a group of nationalist intellectuals and activists who have galvanized popular enthusiasm for Mao's policies, leading to a wave of populist enthusiasm for the Great Helmsman's policies. China's New Red Guards not only reshapes our understanding of the political forces driving contemporary China but also demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of ideologies in the face of widespread rumors of their demise.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 236 x 155 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197577554