Justice After Mao: The Politics of Historical Truth in the People's Republic of China

The Chinese Communist Party leadership faced the question of historical justice after Mao Zedong's death in 1976. This collection presents research on how the Party attempted to survive politically, addressing issues such as property restitution, reconciliation, and truth-establishment. It also investigates how actors remember the period in the present and highlights the potential for selectively applied transitional justice strategies to strengthen authoritarian rule.

Format: Hardback
Length: 357 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

After Mao Zedong's death in September 1976 and the conclusion of the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese Communist Party leadership was confronted with a critical challenge: how to address the legacy of injustices and atrocities committed in the name of the regime. This collection offers groundbreaking, original research to address this pressing question. The volume explores complex issues such as property restitution, fostering reconciliation within local communities, and establishing new standards of truth. Contributions also investigate how various actors remember the period in the present.

The post-Mao period provides a valuable lens through which to examine strategies for coping with a violent past under state socialism. It highlights how selectively applied approaches now associated with transitional justice may actually serve to strengthen rather than subvert authoritarian rule.

The Chinese Communist Party leadership faced a daunting task in the aftermath of Mao Zedong's death and the end of the Cultural Revolution. They were tasked with addressing the legacy of injustices and atrocities committed under the regime's rule. This collection of research offers valuable insights into the Party's efforts to survive politically despite rampant factionalism and widespread political persecution.

The volume explores complex issues such as property restitution, fostering reconciliation within local communities, and establishing new standards of truth. Contributions also investigate how various actors remember the period in the present. The post-Mao period provides a lens through which to view strategies for coping with a violent past under state socialism, highlighting how selectively applied approaches now associated with transitional justice may even serve to strengthen rather than subvert authoritarian rule.

In conclusion, this collection of research provides a comprehensive examination of the legacy of injustice and atrocities committed in the name of the Chinese Communist Party. It offers valuable insights into the Party's efforts to address these issues and survive politically in the post-Mao period. The volume highlights the complexities of coping with a violent past under state socialism and the potential for selectively applied approaches to strengthen rather than subvert authoritarian rule.

Weight: 652g
ISBN-13: 9781009261296