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THE 1989 CHINESE STUDENT MOVEMENT
Author(s) -
Smith Jackie
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
peace and change
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1468-0130
pISSN - 0149-0508
DOI - 10.1111/pech.1992.17.1.82
Subject(s) - action (physics) , china , movement (music) , politics , political science , face (sociological concept) , order (exchange) , public relations , social movement , social change , service (business) , sociology , psychology , social psychology , law , social science , business , marketing , aesthetics , philosophy , physics , finance , quantum mechanics
The 1989 Chinese student movement holds many lessons regarding the use of nonviolent action as a mechanism for social change. Basic factors that contributed to the progression and outcomes of the movement were the structure of political opportunities, student organization, and protest tactics. Drawing primarily from Foreign Broadcast Information Service Daily Reports — China from April, May, and early June of 1989, the author has analyzed the events surrounding the student movement in order to gain insights into the dynamics of nonviolent social protest. Should the Chinese case be used as an example of the ineffectiveness of nonviolent action in the face of a regime willing to counter with military might? Might different actions on the part of student activists have led to a more favorable outcome? These questions are explored in attempting to understand better the factors that contribute to the effectiveness of nonviolent action for social change.