ABSTRACT

Seismic changes in ideology and economic policy in China followed the death of Mao Zedong but one aspect of culture has remained constant: the use of ‘Model Workers’ for the purposes of propaganda and more recent public relations campaigns. In both a political and commercial context, the use of these individuals continues to thrive, and although the messages they promote have largely changed, their continued use indicates the extent to which they are believed to be an effective form of persuasion. Model Workers were deployed at key points in China’s recent history and served to embody the Party’s vision of the ideal Chinese citizen as they attempted to reshape the nation following a ‘Century of Humiliation,’ a ruinous war with Japan and a divisive civil war.

This volume utilises the detailed analysis of posters, cinema and translations of related propaganda material to explore the extent of the influence of the Model Worker as a concept, on both propaganda and national policy.

chapter

Introduction

chapter 1|19 pages

The Model Worker

Origins

chapter 2|19 pages

The Model Worker in action

Propaganda campaigns, 1949–1957

chapter 3|31 pages

The Model Worker in crisis

Propaganda campaigns, 1957–1964

chapter 6|4 pages

The power of role models is infinite 1