CHINA!
In: Dissent: a journal devoted to radical ideas and the values of socialism and democracy, S. 291-292
ISSN: 0012-3846
THE MOST STRIKING ASPECT OF THE POLITICAL MOVEMENT IN CHINA IN MAY 1989 IS THE SUDDEN UPSURGE OF ENERGY AND THE FLOWERING OF INGENUITY AMONG PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN POLITICS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HELD DOWN FOR DECADES BY A REPRESSIVE DICTATORSHIP. THE VERY MASSES WHOM SO MANY REALPOLITIK ANALYSTS HAD CONFIDENTLY RELEGATED TO THE ROLE OF PASSIVITY AND DOCILITY, EITHER BECAUSE OF ABSURD NOTIONS ABOUT THE CHINESE NATIONAL CHARACTER OR THEORIES ABOUT MODERN SOCIETY, HAVE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED THE SPIRIT OF GOOD-NATURED MILITANCY THAT OFTEN OCCURS AT THE OUTSET OF POPULAR REVOLUTIONS.