The War on 'Historical Nihilism': Conflicting Propaganda Needs and Counter-Memories in China
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: History
Abstract
Following the shaky start of Xi Jinping's third term as China's paramount leader - an event marred by nationwide protests against his
zero-Covid policy - it is an optimal time to assess the strengths and weaknesses of his efforts to consolidate the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) regime and fend off challenges to its legitimacy. ChinaMemory will provide a timely and nuanced analysis of the effect of
Xi's obsessive attempt to control historical narratives in support of his domestic and international agendas. In particular, the project
will examine the CCP's campaign against 'historical nihilism', a hallmark of Xi's administration.
Xi has repeatedly warned against 'historical nihilism', i.e. counter-memories and unorthodox historical narratives that deviate from
the Party's official historiography. He has significantly intensified the fight against it, saying it must be defeated to avoid a Soviet-style
collapse. But judging from the Party's own assessment, the alleged danger does not seem to have waned. Why has the CCP been
unable to suppress non-orthodox historical narratives effectively despite having overwhelming control over the flow of information in
China?
While recent scholarship has highlighted China's growing focus on 'historical statecraft' and its toughening stance against unofficial
historical interpretations, no systematic assessment has been conducted on how successful the strategy has been. ChinaMemory
represents the first scholarly attempt to chart and analyse the campaign against 'historical nihilism' and, in doing, to develop a new
understanding of the Chinese regime's ability to use history as a legitimation tool.
Conducted at UPenn and the University of Nottingham under the guidance of world-class scholars, this fellowship will be
fundamental in ensuring that I achieve my career goal of becoming a mature and independent researcher with international
experience and connections, well-placed to find a tenured job in a top university.
zero-Covid policy - it is an optimal time to assess the strengths and weaknesses of his efforts to consolidate the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) regime and fend off challenges to its legitimacy. ChinaMemory will provide a timely and nuanced analysis of the effect of
Xi's obsessive attempt to control historical narratives in support of his domestic and international agendas. In particular, the project
will examine the CCP's campaign against 'historical nihilism', a hallmark of Xi's administration.
Xi has repeatedly warned against 'historical nihilism', i.e. counter-memories and unorthodox historical narratives that deviate from
the Party's official historiography. He has significantly intensified the fight against it, saying it must be defeated to avoid a Soviet-style
collapse. But judging from the Party's own assessment, the alleged danger does not seem to have waned. Why has the CCP been
unable to suppress non-orthodox historical narratives effectively despite having overwhelming control over the flow of information in
China?
While recent scholarship has highlighted China's growing focus on 'historical statecraft' and its toughening stance against unofficial
historical interpretations, no systematic assessment has been conducted on how successful the strategy has been. ChinaMemory
represents the first scholarly attempt to chart and analyse the campaign against 'historical nihilism' and, in doing, to develop a new
understanding of the Chinese regime's ability to use history as a legitimation tool.
Conducted at UPenn and the University of Nottingham under the guidance of world-class scholars, this fellowship will be
fundamental in ensuring that I achieve my career goal of becoming a mature and independent researcher with international
experience and connections, well-placed to find a tenured job in a top university.
