Chinese Journal of Sociology

• Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

From Elite Nationalization to National Elitism: A Historical Review on PRC’s System of Cadre Recruitment

Yu Yang,Department of Sociology,Shanghai University     

  1. Yu Yang,Department of Sociology,Shanghai University  
  • Online:2010-11-24 Published:2010-11-24
  • Contact: Yu Yang,Department of Sociology,Shanghai University E-mail:zhhryy@shu.edu.cn
  • About author:Yu Yang,Department of Sociology,Shanghai University

Abstract:

Recruiting cadres from the elite is a major strategy of elite nationalization. During the period of totalism, our government tended to select cadres largely from the backbone classes of factor workers and poor peasants with the purpose of ensuring the stability of the newly founded country. Cadres were thus placed into classes. In the meantime, in order to promote cooperation with the elite, the government recruited a number of cadres from the nonproletarian elite, who were subject to “ideology reform” and “reeducation.” The government’s then strategies to deal with the elite who lived through the old society included appointing some to important posts, providing for some, or imprisoning some. Thus, elite nationalization was completed. During the period of market economy, there is a transformation from elite nationalization to national elitism, for basically only the elite are likely to be cadres. However, problems in appointing and appraising cadres have some negative impact on democratic politics and state governance. Therefore, it is essential to reflect on these problems when the nation adopts elitism.

Key words: system of cadre recruitment ,  elite nationalization ,  national elitism