I thought there has always be fragmentation within...

2011-12-14T16:02:28.932+08:00

I thought there has always be fragmentation within the leadership group, just that we don't see on the surface at the central level. On the provincial level, then it is more obvious, each local lord with different backings adapt a particular political or economical approach.

BTW, I always thought Bo is interested in the Premier position, given his not so successful, but a very high profile stint as Minister of Commerce.

You're certainly much more adept at Zhongnanha...

2011-12-14T11:08:12.276+08:00

You're certainly much more adept at Zhongnanhai-watching than I am, and no doubt many other readers. I am a scholar of literature, and I read this post with interest, musing about how "liberalism" now seems generally associated with gregarious economic policy and nothing else, while Bo Xilai's politics seems to give more purchase to "culture," however that might be manifested. Gone are the days with authors' and academics' views on politics and society mattered in the public sphere. Such people certainly like to talk about these things, but the venues are restaurants, salons, and living rooms, so it has become insular. One exception to this may be the "lower literature" (diceng wenxue) authors, generally middle-aged men inside and outside the Writers Association who use "traditional" socialist realist aesthetics to depict the downtrodden--migrant laborers, sex workers, and the like--from an anti-global/capitalist orientation. Their politics is very congruent with those of Bo Xilai, and they are much liked by the Utopia Bookstore contingent. In short, they are not very "liberal" as I understand the word, and the intellectuals I know are wary of going public. Isn't there anyone in the government who can challenge the dichotomy of "liberal" and "populist"?

Comments on Siweiluozi's Blog: Bo Xilai, Meng Jianzhu, and the 18th Party Congres...

I thought there has always be fragmentation within...

You're certainly much more adept at Zhongnanha...