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Global Chinese Culture
在人民之間：業餘史家、獨立導演、維權律師與部落客，從草根崛起的力量，當代中國知識分子的聲音與行動
在一九八九年民主運動受挫，一九九二年經濟改革重啟之後，一種新型態的草根知識分子挺身而出。有別於退縮於傳統領域的文人，他們積極與弱勢和邊緣群體合作；有別於八〇年代高聲疾呼民主與現代性的公共知識分子，他們強烈反對菁英修辭。他們宣告思想與行動的獨立性，並身為「民間」而自豪——非官方、無編制、在人民之間。
本書刻畫了一群深刻改變中國公共文化的草根思想－行動者，包括質疑官方說法的業餘史家、讓人民說話的獨立導演，以及分享實用知識的維權律師與NGO工作者等。他們開拓學術界與政府機構之外的新興公共領域，並聚焦於具體而嚴峻的現實問題：毛澤東時代的政治受難者、無法受教育的農民工子女，以及沒有居住許可證的上訪者們。
魏簡深入當代中國社會表層下的變革伏流，分析民間知識分子的公共話語、介入行動和知識生產，將長期位於權力邊緣的草根知識分子群體——特別是女性知識分子——帶到中國思想史的版圖之中。厭的政治所妨礙。」
本書刻畫了一群深刻改變中國公共文化的草根思想－行動者，包括質疑官方說法的業餘史家、讓人民說話的獨立導演，以及分享實用知識的維權律師與NGO工作者等。他們開拓學術界與政府機構之外的新興公共領域，並聚焦於具體而嚴峻的現實問題：毛澤東時代的政治受難者、無法受教育的農民工子女，以及沒有居住許可證的上訪者們。
魏簡深入當代中國社會表層下的變革伏流，分析民間知識分子的公共話語、介入行動和知識生產，將長期位於權力邊緣的草根知識分子群體——特別是女性知識分子——帶到中國思想史的版圖之中。厭的政治所妨礙。」
- GenresChinaPoliticsNonfiction
511 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 19, 2020
Academic monograph on China's intellectuals. Veg documents the minjian 民间 or "among the people" intellectuals from the 1990s to the 2010s. The first chapter covers a literature and theory review, but the subsequent chapters go into discussions of intellectuals who do not occupy positions in the business or institute elite and instead work as social activists, human rights lawyers, or NGOs.
Chapter two is a short biography of Wang Xiaobo 王小波, and places his work in the context of his life and explains his focus on the more marginalized segments of the population. Chapter three covers "alternate memories" or perspectives on the Maoist period. Chapter four is on independent film-makers or those who work and act outside of the state-funded film system. Chapter five is on human rights lawyers, and six is on independent journalists.
I am almost tempted to think of this book as a swan song, considering the state of the public debates since 2013 and some of the websites and organizations mentioned have been shuttered. But still there is space in the margins for people to act.
Chapter two is a short biography of Wang Xiaobo 王小波, and places his work in the context of his life and explains his focus on the more marginalized segments of the population. Chapter three covers "alternate memories" or perspectives on the Maoist period. Chapter four is on independent film-makers or those who work and act outside of the state-funded film system. Chapter five is on human rights lawyers, and six is on independent journalists.
I am almost tempted to think of this book as a swan song, considering the state of the public debates since 2013 and some of the websites and organizations mentioned have been shuttered. But still there is space in the margins for people to act.
April 25, 2023
許志永為民請命十幾載，換來十幾載牢獄之災，國家和他開個天大的玩笑，足見這個民權嚴冬還長得很。不論讀書、看影片，有心人應該借鏡一下，檢視腳下的言論及行動空間。
來自最底層的中國網民，早已不賣知識份子的賬，張口就來「理中客」、「公知」。能商業化的公知，封筆的封筆、轉型的轉型，我以前認為這屬明哲保身，但是魏簡卻寬容地予以信任和肯定。走在深圳書城，書架上有亮相綜藝節目的學者寫的書，興許他們還能在觀眾心中埋下公民意識，就不知道同溫層外有誰共鳴，或者是曲高和寡。
同溫層外是這幫人：前幾天BBC再訪白紙示威者，有則簡中評論譏諷舉張白紙有八塊甜頭；另有人誤以為受訪少年一口流利英語，斷言是浸過外國勢力鹹水。有心行動者面對辣手打壓，給網民酸，最終還不是苦了地理、體制、話語權都處於邊陲的老百姓？真是個五味雜陳的國家。
知識份子號召力本已欠奉，現在連線上線下都難以暢所欲言，轉發、會面隨時觸法。魏簡搜羅的一眾民間知識份子，走的走、抓的抓，剩下的淪為「多餘的人」。當扶助弱勢都變得有風險，就意味著天黑狼人已開眼，當下最優解就是留後步，不要被收編，也不要硬碰硬。當老大哥睜眼之時，人人之間最脆弱卻最祕密的，就是信任。
來自最底層的中國網民，早已不賣知識份子的賬，張口就來「理中客」、「公知」。能商業化的公知，封筆的封筆、轉型的轉型，我以前認為這屬明哲保身，但是魏簡卻寬容地予以信任和肯定。走在深圳書城，書架上有亮相綜藝節目的學者寫的書，興許他們還能在觀眾心中埋下公民意識，就不知道同溫層外有誰共鳴，或者是曲高和寡。
同溫層外是這幫人：前幾天BBC再訪白紙示威者，有則簡中評論譏諷舉張白紙有八塊甜頭；另有人誤以為受訪少年一口流利英語，斷言是浸過外國勢力鹹水。有心行動者面對辣手打壓，給網民酸，最終還不是苦了地理、體制、話語權都處於邊陲的老百姓？真是個五味雜陳的國家。
知識份子號召力本已欠奉，現在連線上線下都難以暢所欲言，轉發、會面隨時觸法。魏簡搜羅的一眾民間知識份子，走的走、抓的抓，剩下的淪為「多餘的人」。當扶助弱勢都變得有風險，就意味著天黑狼人已開眼，當下最優解就是留後步，不要被收編，也不要硬碰硬。當老大哥睜眼之時，人人之間最脆弱卻最祕密的，就是信任。
April 23, 2019
Minjian offers a look into the history and growth of grassroots, or unofficial, intellectuals in China.
While its introduction to the topic is clear and precise in its definitions, Minjian seems to focus too much on previous academic research and lacks a clear argument, offering example after example and effectively preventing the book from developing past the theoretical. It is too dense with historiography (I say this as someone who studied history at university); there is reference after reference with little actual discourse.
The ideas behind the book are interesting and worth a look, but the lack of original discourse and discussion - despite what appeared to be considerable research and effort - really hampered my enjoyment in reading Minjian. Would recommend only for those with an established interest in the topic looking for detail.
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While its introduction to the topic is clear and precise in its definitions, Minjian seems to focus too much on previous academic research and lacks a clear argument, offering example after example and effectively preventing the book from developing past the theoretical. It is too dense with historiography (I say this as someone who studied history at university); there is reference after reference with little actual discourse.
The ideas behind the book are interesting and worth a look, but the lack of original discourse and discussion - despite what appeared to be considerable research and effort - really hampered my enjoyment in reading Minjian. Would recommend only for those with an established interest in the topic looking for detail.
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews