La récidive, révolution russe, révolution chinoise, Paris, Gallimard, 2014

In partnership with Parenthèses

AUTHOR

Lucien Bianco, retired director of studies at École des hautes études en sciences sociales, and former director of the Research and Documentation Center on Contemporary China, Paris, is a French historian specializing in twentieth century China. He is the author of the reference book, Origins of the Chinese Revolution, 1915-1949. His book Peasants Without the Party: Grassroots Movements in 20th-Century China won the Joseph Levenson Book Prize in 2003.

ABSTRACT

The author will introduce his recent book La récidive, révolution russe, révolution chinoise, Paris, Gallimard, 2014. The book compares Mao’s China to Stalin’s Soviet Union. Until 1957, the latter was Mao’s model. From 1958 on, the “Chinese way” to socialism retained the main characteristics -and shortcomings- of the repudiated and castigated model.

Contrary to Marx’s expectations, communist revolution broke out not in capitalist countries, but in so-called “backward” ones. Revolutionary power holders were therefore confronted with the preliminary task of developing the economy.

The comparison will briefly consider politics and the bureaucracy (less privileged under Mao than under Stalin), the exploitation of the peasantry and the resulting famines, the repression and submission of writers and artists, gulag and laogai, and finally Mao and Stalin themselves.

Questions and criticisms are welcome.

Limited copies of the book will be available for sale during the seminar, with a 10% discount.

You may pre-order a copy by contacting Parenthèses directly at [email protected]

ALL INTERESTED ARE WELCOME!

This seminar will be held in English.
Séverine Arsène, Chief Editor of China Perspectives, will chair the session.
Snacks and drinks will be served after the seminar.