| ID | 141109 |
| Title Proper | Creating “masters of the country” in Shanghai and Beijing |
| Other Title Information | discourse and the 1953–54 local people's congress elections |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Zhang, Jishun |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The first round of elections for local people's congresses was an important moment in the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to create an image of the common people as the “masters of the country.” Lower-class people were portrayed in official propaganda as “masters” who were also supporters of the Party. Yet, those “masters” nevertheless displayed diverse political attitudes that were influenced by different local political cultures, particularly in Beijing and Shanghai. The official propaganda promoting the “masters” was a Communist strategy to gain political legitimacy that ironically created the foundation for heterodox mass movements. |
| `In' analytical Note | China Quarterly No. 220; Dec 2014: p.1071-1091 |
| Journal Source | China Quarterly No 220 |
| Key Words | Shanghai ; Local People's Congress ; Beijing ; Masters Of The Country ; Grassroots Community |