DEMOCRATIZATION UNDER INTERNATIONALIZATION: MEDIA RECONSTRUCTIONS OF GENDER IDENTITY IN SHANGHAI

In: Democratization, Band 3, Heft 2, S. 140-157

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THEORIES OF DEMOCRATIZATION PROPOSED FOR POST-SOCIALIST INTERNATIONALIZING ECONOMIES WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO CONTEMPORARY CHINA. IT FINDS THE FIELD DISCURSIVELY AND CONCEPTUALLY TRUNCATED INTO INSTITUTIONALIST, INTERNATIONALIST, AND FEMINIST CONCERNS, THEREBY LOSING HE RICH INSIGHTS THAT EACH MAY BRING TO THE OTHER. THIS ANALYTICAL LACUNA LEAVES INTACT A DEFAULT AGENDA THAT IS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC, ANTI-INTERNATIONAL, A ANTI-FEMALE. AS AN ALTERNATIVE, THIS ARTICLE DRAWS ON THE "INTERSTICES" OF DOMESTIC INSTITUTIONS, INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT, AND FEMINIST CONCERNS TO FORMUL A HERMENEUTIC FOR DEMOCRATIZATION. IT HIGHLIGHTS TO CRUCIAL ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN DESIGNATING THE MODERN, LIBERAL CITIZEN. OR A CASE STUDY, THIS ARTICLE REFERS TO THE MOST INTERNATIONALIZING CITY OF THE WORLD'S MOST POPULOUS ECONOMY - SHANGHAI.