A Democratic Generation? Conformity and Activism

Abstract

Deng’s generation appears to be one that rejected official political arrangements and, in seeking to instigate change, became associated with pro-democracy movements. The reform decade began and ended with two such movements and political alienation and apathy were rife amongst young intellectuals at the outset of the decade. The younger ones were, at first, more optimistic but they came to share the frustrations of their seniors. By the late 1980s organisations such as the CYL were viewed as little more than useful for arranging parties. Apathy did not always translate itself into political dissidence and it will be shown how a pragmatic approach was more likely with some forms of activism acceptable to the young intellectuals at certain points in time. The notable outbreaks of protests in 1980, 1985 and the winter of 1986–87 have already been referred to and views about these protests will be discussed as well as their implications.