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Bittersweet China: New Discourses of Hardship and Social Organisation

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  • Michael B. Griffiths
  • Jesper Zeuthen

Abstract

This paper argues that new interpretations of “eating bitterness” (chiku) have firmly entered the landscape of China’s social organisation. Whereas the bitterness eaten by heroic types in China’s revolutionary past was directed towards serving others, now the aim of eating bitterness is self-awareness. Furthermore, bitterness-eating, which once pertained to rural-urban migrant workers as opposed to discourses of urban “quality” (suzhi), has now also been taken up by the urban middle classes. A new cultural distinction, therefore, adds dignity to migrant workers while potentially marginalising a wide range of unproductive people, both urban and rural. This distinction ultimately mitigates risk to the Chinese regime because the regime makes sure to reward those who eat bitterness. This paper is based on ethnographic data gathered in Anshan, from the rural areas surrounding Chengdu, and our analysis of a TV show about a peasant boy who becomes a Special Forces soldier.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael B. Griffiths & Jesper Zeuthen, 2014. "Bittersweet China: New Discourses of Hardship and Social Organisation," Journal of Current Chinese Affairs - China aktuell, Institute of Asian Studies, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 43(4), pages 143-174.
    • Handle: RePEc:gig:chaktu:v:43:y:2014:i:4:p:143-174
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    File URL: http://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jcca/article/view/802
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Huang,Yasheng, 2008. "Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521898102.
    2. Ho, Peter, 2005. "Institutions in Transition: Land Ownership, Property Rights, and Social Conflict in China," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199280698.
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    Cited by:

    1. Guy M. Robinson & Bingjie Song, 2018. "Transforming the Peri-Urban Fringe in China: The Example of Xi’an-Xianyang," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, October.

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