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.
By:
James Farley (University of Kent UK)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Weight: 453g
ISBN: 9781138299825
ISBN 10: 1138299820
Series: Routledge Studies in Modern History
Pages: 198
Publication Date: 19 June 2019
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
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
James Farley is a specialist in the field of propaganda and modern Chinese history and holds a PhD from the University of Kent, UK.
