From Rebel to Ruler Quotes

“Perhaps the best adjudication of the Mao years was provided by Chen Yun, his longtime collaborator: “Had Chairman Mao died in 1956, there would have been no doubt that he was a great leader in the proletarian revolutionary movement of the world. Had he died in 1966, his meritorious achievements would have been somewhat tarnished but still very good. Since he actually died in 1976, there is nothing we can do about it.”59”
― Tony Saich, From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party

“A friend of mine brought up under socialism would automatically join any queue, noting that if there was a queue, there must be something good at the end of it.”
― Tony Saich, From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party

“The existence of an official trade union negated any reason to set up an alternative union, and the party suppressed radical activists who pushed for workers’ rights that might undermine the CCP’s focus on production.48 Such structural social organizations were referred to as transmission belts in Leninist parlance, but the main direction of communication was from top to bottom, with less capacity for members to influence national policy. The workers learned that their role as masters of the country was subject to party guidance and leadership.”
― Tony Saich, From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party

“76 Xingye Road).”
― Tony Saich, From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party

“Yan Fu was the most prominent intellectual to believe that Western power came not only from its weapons and gunboats but also, and more importantly, from its ideas and values.”
― Tony Saich, From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party

“The Qing created a system of district lecturers who were appointed based on their scholarship, age, and worthy character. Twice a month they would expound upon the relevant imperial maxims, and attendance at such lectures was compulsory. Good children would be hailed and rotten elements would be vilified—with their names posted in public places, to remain there until they saw the error of their ways and sought a return to the fold. This practice was adopted by the CCP to promote local or national heroes to be emulated while vilifying persons who were negative examples. This meant that the state defined an expansive role for itself and that, unlike in the West, its role as moral arbiter was not challenged by other organizations, such as organized religion.”
― Tony Saich, From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party