Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Party Recruitment of College Students in China

2005; Routledge; Volume: 14; Issue: 43 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/10670560500065504

1469-9400

Gang Guo,

Chinese history and philosophy

Abstract Recruitment of young intellectuals such as college students has been an important part of the Chinese Communist Party's recruitment strategies for most of its history. Two of the college students that the Party recruited in the 1940s and 1960s went on to become the Party's top leaders in the 1990s and 2000s, and today's student Party members may well lead Chinese politics at various levels in future decades. This paper examines Party recruitment of college students in the reform era and highlights the impact of 1989. Since the 1990s the Party has stepped up its efforts at recruitment and ideological work on college students. Paradoxically the former is succeeding while the latter seems barely effective. Today's college students are striving to join the Party in large numbers, yet primarily out of a personal pragmatic concern for their future job searches and career advancement. Even student Party members do not have a strong commitment to the Party's sanctioned ideology. Notes 1. See e.g. Bill Smith, 'China's Communist Party woos student idealists', Deutsche Presse-Agentur, (29 June 2001); Clara Li, 'Students race to join up for elite privileges', South China Morning Post, (29 June 2001); Cindy Sui, 'China's youth joining Communist Party to polish job prospects', Agence France Presse, (1 July 2001); and Erik Eckholm, 'As China's economy shines, the Party line loses luster', New York Times, (5 November 2002). 2. Mao Zedong, 'Daliang xishou zhishifenzi rudang' ['Recruit large number of intellectuals'], in Mao Zedong xuanji dier juan [The Selected Works of Mao Zedong, Volume 2] (Beijing: People's Press, 1991), p. 618. 3. See e.g. Jessie G. Lutz, 'The Chinese student movement of 1945–1949', The Journal of Asian Studies 31(1), (November 1971), pp. 89–110; and Hu Kuo-tai, 'The struggle between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party on campus during the War of Resistance, 1937–45', China Quarterly, no. 118, (June 1989), pp. 300–323. 4. Beijing ribao [Beijing Daily], (21 October 2002). 5. Bian Yanjie, Shu Xiaoling and John R. Logan, 'Communist Party membership and regime dynamics in China', Social Forces 79(3), (March 2001), p. 809. 6. Roberta Martin, Party Recruitment in China: Patterns and Prospects, A Study of the Recruitment Campaign of 1954–56 and Its Impact on Party Expansion through 1980 (New York: Occasional Papers of the East Asian Institute, Columbia University, 1981). 7. Stanley Rosen, 'The Chinese Communist Party and Chinese society: popular attitudes toward Party membership and the Party's image', The Australian Journal of Chinese Affairs, no. 24, (July 1990), p. 63. 8. Bian Yanjie et al., 'Communist Party membership and regime dynamics in China', p. 811. 9. Gabriel Abraham Almond, G. Bingham Powell, Jr and Robert J. Mundt, Comparative Politics: A Theoretical Framework (New York: HarperCollins College Publishers, 1996), p. 184. 10. Bruce J. Dickson, 'Cooptation and corporatism in China: the logic of party adaptation', Political Science Quarterly 115(4), (Winter 2000–2001), p. 519. 11. James Roger Townsend and Brantly Womack, Politics in China (Glenview, IL: The Scott, Foresman/Little, Brown Series in Comparative Politics. A Country Study, Scott, Foresman and Company, 1986), p. 299. 12. Deng Xiaoping, 'Muqian de xingshi he women de renwu' ['The current situation and the tasks before us'], in Deng Xiaoping wenxuan dier juan [The Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Volume 2] (Beijing: People's Press, 1993), p. 262. 13. Renmin ribao [People's Daily], (9 March 2000), p. 6. 14. Renmin ribao [People's Daily], (28 June 1996), p. 5. 15. See e.g. Bai Tongping and Wang Zhengyao, eds, Tan xuesheng dangjian gongzuo [On Party-building Work among Students] (Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province: Zhejiang University Press, 1989), pp. 99–101; and Rosen, 'The Chinese Communist Party and Chinese society', pp. 62–67. 16. Zhao Yicheng, 'Jiazhi de chongtu' ['Conflict of values'], Shanghai daxue xuebao (shehui kexue ban) [Journal of Shanghai University (Social Science Edition)], no. 2, (1988), p. 35. 17. Sun Jiaming and Lin Jianhong, 'Daxuesheng zhengzhi shehuihua: Xianzhuang, wenti ji duice' ['College students' political socialization: current status, problems, and strategies'], Shehui Kexue [Social Sciences], no. 12, (1989), pp. 54–55. 18. Deng Xiaoping, 'Zhongguo buyunxu luan' ['China must not be disordered'], in Deng Xiaoping wenxuan disan juan [The Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, Volume 3] (Beijing: People's Press, 1993), p. 287. 19. Zhu Yongping, 'Jianguo yilai gaoxiao dangjian gongzuo de lishi yange yu qishi' ['The historical development and insights of Party-building work in institutions of higher education since the founding of PRC'], Chongqing youdian xueyuan xuebao (sheke ban) [Journal of Chongqing College of Post and Telecommunications (Social Science Edition)] 1(3), (2000), p. 54. 20. Shao Chen, 'Guanyu gaodeng xuexiao dangzuzhi zhuangkuang de diaocha yu sikao' ['Investigation and thoughts on the status of Party organizations at institutions of higher education'], in Chinese Communist Party Central Organization Department Research Office, ed., 1989 zuzhi gongzuo yanjiu wenxuan [Selected Works on Organization Work in 1989] (Beijing: Beijing University Press, 1990), p. 147. 21. Zhou Heling, ed., Jiedu kunhuo: Shanghai dangjian shencengci wenti yanjiu neibu wengao [Explaining Confusions: Internal Manuscripts on Study of Deeper Issues in Shanghai's Party-Building] (Shanghai: Shanghai Jiaotong University Press, 2002), p. 18. 22. Bai Tongping and Wang Zhengyao, eds, Tan xuesheng dangjian gongzuo, p. 99. 23. Renmin ribao [People's Daily], (28 June 1995), p. 5. 24. Shao Chen, 'Guanyu gaodeng xuexiao dangzuzhi zhuangkuang de diaocha yu sikao', p. 150. 25. Shao Chen, 'Guanyu gaodeng xuexiao dangzuzhi zhuangkuang de diaocha yu sikao', p. 150. 26. Xiang Yangjie, 'Jianchi biaozhun, buduan zhuangda xuesheng dangyuan duiwu' ['Adhere to standard and continuously enlarge Party ranks among students'], in Liu Ke, ed., Shanghai gaoxiao dangde jianshe [Party-Building in Institutions of Higher Education in Shanghai] (Shanghai: Shanghai Jiaotong University Press, 1991), p. 240. Even though 'peaceful transition' has all but disappeared from official rhetoric in recent years, similar arguments to the above can still be seen; e.g. Bao Yongping, 'Nuli goujian gaoxiao xuesheng dangjian gongzuo de xin geju' ['Strive to construct a new situation in Party-building work among students at institutions of higher education'], Gaojiao luntan [Higher Education Forum], no. 6, (December 2002), p. 103. 27. Renmin ribao [People's Daily], (14 July 1995), p. 4. 28. Duan Xinxing, Chi Zhongjun and Gu Jianguo, 'Daxuesheng sixiang diode zhuangkuang de diaocha fenxi' ['Survey and analysis of university students' ideological and moral status'], Zhongguo qingnian zhengzhi xueyuan xuebao [Journal of China College of Youth Politics], no. 2, (1998), p. 12. 29. Qingdao ribao [Qingdao Daily], (2 July 1999). 30. Zhongguo jiaoyu bao [China Education Daily], (26 December 2001), p. 1. 31. Liu Huizhen, 'Daxuesheng sixiang zhuangkuang de diaocha yu sikao' ['Investigation and thoughts on college students' ideological conditions'], Guangxi daxue xuebao (zhexue shehui kexue ban) [Journal of Guangxi University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition)], no. 5, (1992), p. 119. 32. Liaoning ribao [Liaoning Daily], (2 July 1999). 33. Stanley Rosen, 'The effect of post-4 June re-education campaigns on Chinese students', China Quarterly, no. 134, (June 1993), p. 331. 34. Luo Zonghuo, 'Jiaqiang xuesheng sixiang zhengzhi jiaoyu gongzuo duiwu de jianshe' ['Strengthen building the ranks of workers on students' ideological and political education'], Guangxi daxue xuebao (zhexue shehui kexue ban) [Journal of Guangxi University (Philosophy and Social Sciences)] 44(5), (1992), p. 122. 35. Li Jianning, Deng Wei and Lai Ping, 'Dui qinghai gaoxiao daxuesheng sixiang zhengzhi suzhi de diaocha yu sikao' ['Survey and considerations on ideological and political quality of college students in Qinghai's institutions of higher education'], Qinghai shifan daxue xuebao (zhexue shehui kexue ban) [Journal of Qinghai Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences)] 86(3), (2000), p. 101. 36. Rosen, 'The Chinese Communist Party and Chinese society', p. 64 and Li Jianning et al., 'Dui qinghai gaoxiao daxuesheng sixiang zhengzhi suzhi de diaocha yu sikao', p. 99. 37. Li Yunhe and Zhao Fei, 'Jilin daxue xuesheng xinshiji sixiang fazhan qushi yanjiu' ['Study of Jilin University students' ideological development trend in new century'], Xiandai jiaoyu kexue [Modern Education Science] 161(9), (2002), p. 56. 38. Zhao Yicheng, 'Jiazhi de chongtu'. 39. Li Zhihong, 'Guanyu gaoxiao xuesheng rudang dongji zhuangkuang diaocha yanjiu' ['A survey study on students' motives to join the Party at institutions of higher education'], Lianyungang shifan gaodeng zhuanke xuexiao xiaobao [Journal of Lianyungang Teachers College], no. 4, (December 2002), p. 6. 40. Sun Yixian, 'Guanyu bufen daxuesheng dui zhaokai shiliu da sixiang zhuangkuang de diaocha baogao' ['Survey report on some students' ideological condition toward 16th Party Congress'], Nanchang hangkong gongye xueyuan xuebao [Journal of Nanchang Institute of Aeronautical Technology] 4(2), (June 2002), p. 16. 41. Feng Fengjie, 'Xinshiqi daxuesheng sixiang guannian de wenjuan diaocha yu fenxi' ['Survey and analysis of university students' ideology in the new era'], Shengyang nongye daxue xuebao (shehui kexue ban) [Journal of Shenyang Agricultural University (Social Sciences)] 4(2), (June 2002), p. 111. 42. Feng Aiqiu and Xiang Long, 'Daxuesheng sixiang zhuangkuang diaocha yu fenxi' ['Survey and analysis of university students' ideological and political conditions'], Heilongjiang nongken shizhuan xuebao [Journal of Heilongjiang Nongken Normal College] 59(1), (2002), p. 6. 43. Wang Jinsong, Zhang Yalan, Su Rui, Pang Xiaohong and Zhou Chunfang, 'Dangdai daxuesheng zhengzhi jiazhi quxiang ji duice sikao' ['Contemporary university students' political values orientation and thoughts on strategies'], Gansu shehui kexue [Gansu Social Sciences], no. 6, (2002), p. 150. 44. Chen Xiaohui and Chen Xingjun, 'Shilun jiaqiang daxuesheng rudang dongji jiaoyu' ['On strengthening education of motives to join the Party among university students'], Yanan jiaoyu xueyuan xuebao [Journal of Yanan College of Education] 36(2), (2002), p. 5. 45. Guo Xu, Yi Qingyong and Xu Xuehong, 'Wenshi lei daxuesheng sixiang daode xianzhuang diaocha yu sikao' ['Survey and consideration on the current ideological and moral status of university students in arts'], Dalian daxue xuebao [Journal of Dalian University] 23(1), (February 2002), p. 88. 46. Fu Hongmei, 'Shifan yuanxiao nu daxuesheng sixiang daode xianzhuang yu jiaoyu duice' ['Current ideological and moral status and educational strategies of female students at teachers' colleges'], Lingling shifan gaodeng zhuanke xuexiao xiaobao [Journal of Lingling Teachers College] 23(2), (April 2002), p. 118. 47. Li Zhidong, 'Dangdai daxuesheng zhengzhiguan, daodeguan, jiazhiguan diaocha yanjiu' ['Investigation and study of contemporary university students' political views, ethics, and values'], Guangxi shifan daxue xuebao (zhexue shehui kexue ban) [Journal of Guangxi Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences)] 38(3), (July 2002), p. 52. 48. Renmin ribao [People's Daily], (19 June 1997), p. 5. 49. Wang Xiaotian and Wu Jing, 'Tan gaoxiao xuesheng dangjian gongzuo' ['On Party-building work of students at institutions of higher education'], Nantong gongxueyuan xuebao [Journal of Nantong Institute of Technology] 17(1), (March 2001), p. 79. 50. Huadong xinwen [East China News], (1 July 2001), p. 3. 51. Renmin ribao [People's Daily], (26 June 1997), p. 5. 52. Guangming ribao [Guangming Daily], (20 June 2001). 53. Zhang Ying, 'Yinshilidao, jiaqiang he gaijin gaoxiao xuesheng dangjian gongzuo' ['Adroitly guide action according to circumstances to strengthen and to improve Party-building work among students at institutions of higher education'], Minjiang zhiye daxue xuebao [Journal of Minjiang Professional University], no. 2, (2002), p. 39. 54. Chen Xiaohui and Chen Xingjun, 'Shilun jiaqiang daxuesheng rudang dongji jiaoyu', p. 5. 55. Fu Hongmei, 'Shifan yuanxiao nu daxuesheng sixiang daode xianzhuang yu jiaoyu duice', p. 118. 56. Hu Wenhua and Li Zhimin, 'Dangdai daxuesheng zhengzhiguan diaocha fenxi' ['Survey and analysis of contemporary college students' political views'], Harbin daxue xuebao [Journal of Harbin University] 23(2), (February 2002), p. 103. 57. Chen Xiaohui and Chen Xingjun, 'Shilun jiaqiang daxuesheng rudang dongji jiaoyu', p. 6. 58. Andrew G. Walder, 'Career mobility and the communist political order', American Sociological Review 60, (June 1995), p. 309. 59. Xian Liting, 'Guanyu woguo gaodeng jiaoyu fazhan sudu, guimo wenti de sikao' ['Considerations on the speed and scale of the development in our country's higher education'], Zhongguo gaodeng jiaoyu [China Higher Education], no. 10, (1991), p. 27. 60. The goal year was moved forward to 2005, see Renmin ribao [People's Daily], (16 December 2002), p. 6. 61. http://www.54youth.com.cn/gb/paper113/1/class011300001/hwz51667.htm, accessed 31 July 2003. 62. Zhou Mengjun and Xu Shaohua, 'Quancheng genzong peiyang quebao daxuesheng dangyuan zhiliang' ['Fostering by following whole course and guarantee quality of college student Party members'], Dangjian yanjiu [Research on Party-Building], no. 3, (2000). 63. Gong Huixiang, Wang Zhiqiang and Shen Wenhua, 'Zhejiang gaoxiao xuesheng sixiang daode zhuangkuang de diaocha yu fenxi' ['Survey and analysis of students' ideological and moral status at institutions of higher education in Zhejiang'], Dangdai qingnian yanjiu [Contemporary Youth Study], no. 5, (2002), p. 20; and Li Jinlin, Zhou Wenwen and Yao Li, 'Cong daxuesheng dangyuan sixiang zhuangkuang kan gaoxiao dangjian duice' ['Strategies of Party-building at institutions of higher education in view of student Party members' ideological condition'], Shanxi gaodeng xuexiao shehui kexue xuebao [Social Sciences Journal of Colleges of Shanxi] 14(5), (May 2002), p. 86. 64. Wang Hongbo, Yan Wanchun and Xiang Yizhi, 'Daxuesheng yubei dangyuan sixiang zhengzhi zhuangkuang diaocha fenxi' ['Survey and analysis of ideological and political situation of probationary Party members among university students'], Qingnian yanjiu [Youth Study], no. 4, (2002), p. 45. 65. Lai Jinlong, Zeng Lingchao and Xu Guilan, 'Gaoxiao xuesheng sixiang zhuangkuang diaocha ji duice sikao' ['Survey and thoughts on strategies of students' ideological conditions at institutions of higher education'], Longyan shizhuan xuebao [Journal of Longyan Teachers College] 20(2), (April 2002), p. 112. 66. Bo Jianzhu and Yan Suping, 'Shiying xin xingshi zhaozhun qierudian tansuo xin xingshi' ['Adapt to new situation, locate the entry point, and explore new format'], Huabei meitan yixueyuan xuebao [Journal of North China Coal Medical College] 4(5), (September 2002), p. 671. 67. Bai Tongping and Wang Zhengyao, eds, Tan xuesheng dangjian gongzuo, p. 110. 68. Yan Xihe, Yan Chongmin and Meng Qingfeng, 'Liaoningsheng gaoxiao dangjian gongzuo diaocha baogao' ['Investigation report on Party-building work at institutions of higher education in Liaoning Province'], Liaoning jiaoyu yanjiu [Research on Liaoning Education], no. 4, (2001), p. 10. 69. Shen Fuguang, Zhang Mingde, Zhao Enping and Yan Jianfeng, 'Daxuesheng wangluo xingwei tanxi' ['Inquiry and analysis of university students' behavior on Internet'], Beijing huagong daxue xuebao (shehui kexue ban) [Journal of Beijing University of Chemical Engineering (Social Sciences Edition)] 36(1), (2002), p. 10. 70. Yan Xihe et al., 'Liaoningsheng gaoxiao dangjian gongzuo diaocha baogao', p. 11. 71. Zhang Ying, 'Yinshilidao, jiaqiang he gaijin gaoxiao xuesheng dangjian gongzuo', p. 40. 72. Zhongguo Dizhi Daxue 2002 nian fazhan dangyuan gongzuo jihua [China University of Geology's Plan on the Work of Recruiting Party Members in 2002]. 73. Party Committee of Yunnan University, Ba zai daxuesheng zhong fazhan dangyuan zuowei dangjian de zhanlue renwu lai zhua [Grasp the Recruitment of Party Members among University Students as Strategic Task of Party Building] (2002). 74. Gao Xin, 'Gaodeng xuexiao xuesheng zonghe fazhan chengji paihangbang' ['Ranking of institutions of higher education in students' comprehensive development achievements'], Zhongguo qingnian [China Youth], no. 12, (December 2000). 75. Shi Tianjian et al., The Project on Political Participation and Political Culture in Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. 76. In the past decade the Party has recruited probably around half a million members from college students in mainland China. Additional informationNotes on contributorsGang GuoA native of the People's Republic of China, he studied international politics at the Institute of International Relations in Beijing and received his Bachelor of Law degree in 1997. From 1997 to 2001 he was a graduate student at the political science department at the University of Rochester and was awarded an M.A. degree in 2001. He received his Ph.D. degree in political science from the University of Rochester in 2002 on a dissertation entitled 'Party Recruitment and Political Participation in Mainland China'.