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Revolutions in China - Page 1
How they Differ from the West
Revolutions in Chinese History
China has had a long and tortuous path to its
present situation. China's people have suffered under the yoke of
many invaders, domination by foreign powers, and the rule of
tyrants. Compared to the West, China has experienced many
revolutions. Chinese revolutions have seven unique
characteristics.
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Chinese revolutions in history were "private" in
contrast with the "public" revolutions in the West.
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Active pursuit of personal ambition rather than
defense of group interest, as in Western revolutions have
motivated Chinese revolutions.
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China has had revolutions by the upper or the lower
class but never by the center class. In the West it is the center
class that takes the lead.
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In terms of the number of participants, Chinese
revolutions typically consisted of numerous independent rebel
bands, whereas Western revolutions were organized around a single
group.
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Chinese revolutions have been extremely protracted
and have caused untold millions of casualties. In the West
revolutions end quickly, as soon as the ancient regime is
toppled.
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With the single exception of the French Revolution,
the object of Western revolutions has been the ancient monarch
and no others. In China revolutionaries have directed their
violence not only against the old dynasty but also against each
other.
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Chinese revolutions throughout history more often
than not have facilitated the conquest of China by alien races.
In contrast, Western revolutionaries were always able to rally
all the forces to defeat foreign invaders.
"To the Chinese luan (chaos) is a very important
thing to avoid. Luan is a Chinese word for the lack of order and
predictability. The Chinese would prefer a dictatorship to luan
after hundreds of years of turmoil. By 1949 the Chinese people
had suffered ninety-nine consecutive years of revolution. They
were weary of war, death and suffering and the wish for peace and
a better life was paramount.
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