Ethnic Relations in Contemporary China: Cultural Tradition and Ethnic Policies since 1949

In: Policy and society: an interdisciplinary journal of policy research, Band 25, Heft 1, S. 85-108

Abstract

China has been a multi-ethnic political polity for over two thousand years. 'Culturalisation' of ethnic minorities in peripheries has been a tradition in China deeply rooted in the Confucianism. This tradition resulted in a united-pluralistic polity with a huge population & the non-stop writing history throughout a series of dynasties. The People's Republic began to adopt the policies of the former USSR since the 1950s & gave ethnic minorities more political status, or what is called 'politicisation' of ethnic minorities in China. This policy has improved socioeconomic development of minority groups & promoted group corporations but also has strengthened the group consciousness among the minorities. The collapse of the Soviet Union provides a lesson that this policy orientation might provide an institutional basis for national disintegration when internal & external powers work together. Meanwhile, the 'equality de facto' has been the goal of official ethnic policy since the 1950s & many policies have been designed & practiced in favour of minority groups, but there also some debate on its social consequences which also need our attention. Tables, Figures, References. Adapted from the source document.