Self-Reflections of Fears and Dreams: Political Legitimacy and Strategic Thinking among Chinese Communist Party Leaders, 1927-1953

Ray Hartman's book explores how Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders perceived political legitimacy during the party's formative years, driving their policies and military strategy. It provides extensive documentation from party directives and speeches, revealing a CCP consumed with the notion of its own legitimacy to attain power and save the Chinese state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Between 1927 and 1953, China experienced a period of war, revolution, and social disintegration, marked by significant political upheaval. However, it was also a time when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sought to establish its political legitimacy. In this groundbreaking work, Ray Hartman delves into the perception of political legitimacy by Chinese Communist leaders during the party's formative years. He argues that the CCP's conception of legitimacy played a pivotal role in shaping its policies and military strategy during this critical period.

While the concept of legitimacy is frequently discussed in relation to the CCP's performance, this work stands out as the first to examine how top CCP leaders themselves understood this concept. Hartman provides extensive documentation from party directives, speeches, memoirs written by party members, and military leaders, offering a comprehensive view of the CCP's perspective on legitimacy.

Through his analysis, Hartman reveals that the CCP was deeply concerned with establishing and maintaining its legitimacy. The party viewed legitimacy as a means to attain power and protect the Chinese state from internal and external forces that threatened its existence. The CCP believed that legitimacy could be achieved through a combination of political, economic, and military means, and it worked tirelessly to establish its authority and influence within China and the international community.

One of the key aspects of the CCP's conception of legitimacy was its emphasis on the unity and cohesion of the party. The party viewed itself as the sole representative of the Chinese people and sought to maintain a strong sense of identity and purpose among its members. To achieve this, the CCP implemented various policies and programs aimed at consolidating power and promoting social stability.

The CCP also recognized the importance of popular support in establishing and maintaining legitimacy. The party sought to engage with the Chinese people and address their concerns and needs, hoping to win their trust and support. This involved implementing social welfare programs, improving education and healthcare, and promoting economic development.

However, the CCP's pursuit of legitimacy was not without its challenges. The party faced opposition from various groups and individuals who opposed its policies and authoritarianism. The CCP responded to these challenges by implementing a series of measures to suppress dissent and maintain control. This included the establishment of a secret police force, the persecution of political dissidents, and the suppression of religious and cultural practices.

Despite these challenges, the CCP's efforts to establish and maintain its legitimacy were ultimately successful. The party's policies and military strategy during the period between 1927 and 1953 helped to stabilize the Chinese state and promote economic development. The CCP's perception of legitimacy also played a significant role in its ability to attract foreign support and aid, which helped to further its goals and objectives.

In conclusion, Ray Hartman's work on the perception of political legitimacy by Chinese Communist leaders during the party's formative years is a groundbreaking contribution to the study of Chinese politics and history. Through his extensive documentation and analysis, Hartman reveals the CCP's deep-seated concerns with legitimacy and its efforts to establish and maintain its authority through a combination of political, economic, and military means. The CCP's perception of legitimacy played a pivotal role in shaping its policies and military strategy during this critical period, and its legacy continues to be felt today.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666916843