Model Workers in China, 1949-1965 - Constructing a New Citizen

Seismic changes in ideology and economic policy in China followed the death of Mao Zedong but one aspect of culture has remained constant: the use of 'Model Workers' for the purposes of propaganda and more recent public relations campaigns. In both a political and commercial context, the use of these individuals continues to thrive, and although the messages they promote have largely changed, their continued use indicates the extent to which they are believed to be an effective form of persuasion. Model Workers were deployed at key points in China's recent history and served to embody the Party's vision of the ideal Chinese citizen as they attempted to reshape the nation following a 'Century of Humiliation,' a ruinous war with Japan and a divisive civil war.

This volume utilises the detailed analysis of posters, cinema and translations of related propaganda material to explore the extent of the influence of the Model Worker as a concept, on both propaganda and national policy.

List of contents

Introduction 1. The Model Worker: Origins 2. The Model Worker in action: Propaganda campaigns, 1949–1957 3. The Model Worker in crisis: Propaganda campaigns, 1957–1964 4. Constructing the Model Worker in post-1949 Chinese cinema 5. A multimedia campaign, post-1949 poster propaganda and the Model Worker 6. The power of role models is infinite Appendix Bibliography

About the author

James Farley is a specialist in the field of propaganda and modern Chinese history and holds a PhD from the University of Kent, UK.

Summary

This volume utilises the detailed analysis of posters, cinema, and translations of related propaganda interviews and articles to explore the extent the influence of the Model Worker propaganda on national policy.

Product details

• Authors: Farley, James Farley, James (University of Kent Farley, Farley James
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.07.2019
• EAN: 9781138299825
• ISBN: 978-1-138-29982-5
• No. of pages: 198
• Series: Routledge Studies in Modern History; Routledge Studies in Modern History
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; Propaganda, China, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Human Rights, HISTORY / General, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / Asia / China, c 1960 to c 1970, Social and cultural history, c 1950 to c 1959, Asian History, Sociology: work & labour, c 1960 to c 1969, Political control and freedoms, C 1945 To C 1960, Sociology: work and labour, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / General