Conditions and factors of Chinese intelligentsia development during the society modernization period (last quarter of the 20th century)

The conditions and factors of development of Chinese intelligentsia in the society are analyzed in this article. They suffered essential changes comparatively with the period before the Cultural Revolution. The object and subject, methodological approaches of the research work are defined. Intellectuals became a more active social group that could influence the way, content and the tempo of the reforms. The social structure, functions and the origins of reproduction are exposed to transformation. In the process of economic, political and social transformation the role of Chinese intelligentsia was rising at the end of the 20th century. Further development of China was connected with it. The process of Chinese society modernization in the last quarter of the 20th century was the main condition of development of intelligentsia. It is a small social stratum active in society reforms and its role is significant. Traditional society modernization is a complicated process in all spheres of the society: economic, social, political and spiritual. The state initiated it and governs it strictly in China. The beginning of Chinese society modernization was the Third Plenum of the Central Committee of the CPC in December 1978. Reforms in economy gave rise to various types of property resulting in different intelligentsia incomes, different development rate in the regions of the country, the city and the village. Uneven development of the regions resulted in the "drain-away" to the south. The discrepancy between education, science-technical potential and economic development demands, a large number of illiterate people, poor quality of elementary education, a small number of those wishing to continue education in high schools required changes in the organization and support of educational process, especially in higher school. China successfully solves these problems. An important factor for intelligentsia evolution is education modernization. Chinese government recognizes the fundamental role of education in country reforms. Education, science and culture development is connected with the stronger position of Confucianism. Modern Confucianism mission is to increase national self-consciousness and belief of the nation in its power. It is necessary to form the civil awareness of the population. The following factors helped to create conditions for intelligentsia functioning in China: economic reforms, political and law institutes of civil society development. The adversarial psychological factors were the fear of change, distrust to the outside world, fear of possible destabilization. The conditions and factors for Chinese intelligentsia development in modern society are generally favorable. Chinese intelligentsia is developing in the conditions of a quickly modernizing unitary state with a huge territory and population, traditions, single-party system and powerful position of the center. Reforms of Chinese society show some similarities with the post-perestroika Russian history, for instance, struggle of conservatives and reformists. Unlike Russia, China's state regulation is and was more effective.

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