Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Enlightened.
Just inside the north gate of workers' stadium (工体北门) in beijing, lies a seemingly blatant clash, of ideals and of representation. First there is this huge typical stalinist statue of some workers/ peasants, then there are clubs lining both sides of it hinting more than a bit of western capitalist decadence. How ironic!
One night, while waiting for our friends to arrive, XR and I wickedly cornered Q, insisting that he explain to us the apparent inconsistencies. It is simply socialism with chinese characteristics, he says, nothing wrong with chinese people needing to have some beers or dance all night. Modern day socialists need to relax too, like anybody else. In fact there's no contradiction or evident idelogical failures because those are only chinese characteristics of socialism.
Now you realize chinese people are actually oh so smart. Whatever that doesn't fit into your usual definition of socialism, insert as desired into the latter part. Ta-da, socialism never dies. The vulgar excesses of consumerism witnessed in its coastal cities are but part and parcel of (repeat after me) socialism with chinese characteristics.
Just inside the north gate of workers' stadium (工体北门) in beijing, lies a seemingly blatant clash, of ideals and of representation. First there is this huge typical stalinist statue of some workers/ peasants, then there are clubs lining both sides of it hinting more than a bit of western capitalist decadence. How ironic!
One night, while waiting for our friends to arrive, XR and I wickedly cornered Q, insisting that he explain to us the apparent inconsistencies. It is simply socialism with chinese characteristics, he says, nothing wrong with chinese people needing to have some beers or dance all night. Modern day socialists need to relax too, like anybody else. In fact there's no contradiction or evident idelogical failures because those are only chinese characteristics of socialism.
Now you realize chinese people are actually oh so smart. Whatever that doesn't fit into your usual definition of socialism, insert as desired into the latter part. Ta-da, socialism never dies. The vulgar excesses of consumerism witnessed in its coastal cities are but part and parcel of (repeat after me) socialism with chinese characteristics.
