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Do you think China suffers from a collective inferiority complex? By that I mean: Any attack or criticism is fiercely resisted because it challenges the party n

by ajay-b 6y ago

Do you think China suffers from a collective inferiority complex? By that I mean: Any attack or criticism is fiercely resisted because it challenges the party narrative that the party can do no wrong?

wsc981 6y ago
> Do you think China suffers from a collective inferiority complex? Might have something to do with loss of face perhaps which is an important concept in many asian countries [0]. From my understanding you have to be very careful with criticism in many Asian countries, especially with regards to authority. If someone has higher authority than you (e.g. boss at work) he can generally do no wrong or if he does wrong in some way (e.g. makes bad business deal), you don't confront your boss. --- [0]: https://www.tripsavvy.com/saving-face-and-losing-face-1458303 https://www.tripsavvy.com/saving-face-and-losing-face-145830...
- dnhz 6y ago
  I'm not a fan of cultural explanations for behavior versus realpolitik, especially when the alleged cultural characteristic can be distilled into a single phrase.
- mads 6y ago
  I think loss of face is a very misunderstood concept. When is the last time you as a westerner, which I assume you are, bragged to your friends about losing face that time you slipped on a banana peel?
tshaddox 6y ago
Couldn't it also be that criticisms are resisted because people literally remember the last 40 years of economic improvements in China, and attribute (whether reasonably or not) that improvement to the CCP? I'm not saying that's a good reason to fiercely resist criticism, but it's certainly an understandable emotional response.
baybal2 6y ago
> think China suffers from a collective inferiority complex? You couldn't have said it better. But it's much more attributable to the now waning elites, than anybody else. Those are people who grew up being spoon fed with success for life, and are envious beyond measure of people who got to succeed without paying a dime for party membership.
- mensetmanusman 6y ago
  Maybe. They are taught they are amazing with a long history (that they are trying to erase in real tie), but that is hard to reconcile how amazing they are with having sat out the scientific revolution the last 200 years or so.

by ajay-b 6y ago

wsc981 6y ago

> Do you think China suffers from a collective inferiority complex? Might have something to do with loss of face perhaps which is an important concept in many asian countries [0]. From my understanding you have to be very careful with criticism in many Asian countries, especially with regards to authority. If someone has higher authority than you (e.g. boss at work) he can generally do no wrong or if he does wrong in some way (e.g. makes bad business deal), you don't confront your boss. --- [0]: https://www.tripsavvy.com/saving-face-and-losing-face-1458303 https://www.tripsavvy.com/saving-face-and-losing-face-145830...

dnhz 6y ago
I'm not a fan of cultural explanations for behavior versus realpolitik, especially when the alleged cultural characteristic can be distilled into a single phrase.
mads 6y ago
I think loss of face is a very misunderstood concept. When is the last time you as a westerner, which I assume you are, bragged to your friends about losing face that time you slipped on a banana peel?

tshaddox 6y ago

Couldn't it also be that criticisms are resisted because people literally remember the last 40 years of economic improvements in China, and attribute (whether reasonably or not) that improvement to the CCP? I'm not saying that's a good reason to fiercely resist criticism, but it's certainly an understandable emotional response.

baybal2 6y ago

> think China suffers from a collective inferiority complex? You couldn't have said it better. But it's much more attributable to the now waning elites, than anybody else. Those are people who grew up being spoon fed with success for life, and are envious beyond measure of people who got to succeed without paying a dime for party membership.

mensetmanusman 6y ago
Maybe. They are taught they are amazing with a long history (that they are trying to erase in real tie), but that is hard to reconcile how amazing they are with having sat out the scientific revolution the last 200 years or so.