The Red Guards' Path to Violence: Political, Educational, and Psychological Factors [Hardcover]

Jing Lin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 1991

A philosophical analysis informed by history, this work examines the reasons for the highly destructive behavior of the Red Guards in the early part of China's Cultural Revolution. By probing the political, educational, and psychological factors influencing the Red Guards, Jing Lin sheds light on how teenagers and young adults were able to justify violence in the name of class struggle and human rights. She concludes that non-critical, categorical thought--buttressed by the political and educational systems--was pivotal. Jing Lin introduces the work with a discussion of democratic and non-democratic thought, and of the Red Guards' views about class struggle, authority and justice. She then examines the theory behind Mao's totalitarian rule. Chapter Three is devoted to schools, and their decisive role in developing the Red Guards. The psychology of the Red Guards follows: Lin details how concepts of the proletariat, class enemies, and intellectuals nurtured habits of aggression and obedience. In concluding, Lin suggests how to foster critical and democratic thinking in Chinese education. This book is a valuable resource for students of Chinese history, revolution, political psychology, and education.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Jing Lin was born and raised in China, and lived there for more than 20 years before moving to North America for her doctoral study. Drawing on her experiences in China as a student and university instructor, Lin offers an enlightening reflection on several elements that formed a generation's thinking. She focuses on political, educational, and psychological factors in explaining the Red Guards' aggression toward `class enemies' and their obedience toward Mao during the Cultural Revolution, although other influences may have been equally important. She believes that noncritical categorical thinking had taken over the Red Guards, lending to their destructive behavior. The book explores the chief features of the Red Guards' thinking and behavior and examines the impact of political, educational, and psychological factors on them. In addition, Lin constructs a model of the development of the Red Guards' thinking and considers alternative ways in which Chinese education today might foster critical and democratic thinking. Notes and a brief bibliography. Recommended for college, university, and public libraries.”–Choice

About the Author

JING LIN is Assistant Professor of Administration and Policy Studies in Education at McGill University, Montreal.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (August 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275938727
• ISBN-13: 978-0275938727
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,252,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars For the researcher, July 16, 2010

By 

Matthew Robertson (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Red Guards' Path to Violence: Political, Educational, and Psychological Factors (Hardcover)

I will leave a quick note here just as a courtesy. This is an academic volume. They obviously printed few copies, and that's why the price is prohibitive. I have been reading this text in the library recently. It's quite good in its attempt to get at some of the questions behind what may have motivated seemingly normal Chinese teenagers to commit atrocious acts of violence and indignity against their elders and peers. Recommend spending an hour or so on it in the library, and taking a few notes. Not so important as to warrant a purchase, but worth checking out.