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Beyond Celebrity Politics: Celebrity as Governmentality in China

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  • Zhongxuan Lin
  • Yupei Zhao

Abstract

This article investigates the crucial political dimension of celebrity. Specifically, it examines celebrities’ great potential for governmentality in the Chinese context by tracing the history of celebrities in Confucian, Maoist, and post-Maoist governmentalities. It concludes that this type of governmentality, namely, celebrity as governmentality, displays uniquely Chinese characteristics in that it is a set of knowledge, discourses, and techniques used primarily by those who govern. It also highlights the central role of the state as the concrete terrain for the application of this mode of governmentality throughout Chinese history. Finally, it notes the always evolving nature of governmentality, as observed in the phenomena of governing from afar and resistance from below. These findings help us rethink the contingent and diversified nature of the phenomena of celebrity and governmentality and challenge Western norms and political theories that covertly employ them.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhongxuan Lin & Yupei Zhao, 2020. "Beyond Celebrity Politics: Celebrity as Governmentality in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(3), pages 21582440209, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:10:y:2020:i:3:p:2158244020941862
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244020941862
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nick Couldry & Tim Markham, 2007. "Celebrity culture and public connection: bridge or chasm?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 52412, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Olivier Driessens, 2013. "Celebrity capital: redefining celebrity using field theory," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 55743, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. David Marsh & Paul ‘t Hart & Karen Tindall, 2010. "Celebrity Politics: The Politics of the Late Modernity?," Political Studies Review, Political Studies Association, vol. 8(3), pages 322-340, September.
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    Cited by:

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