In 2010-2011\, the "Arab Spring" brought u nexpected revolutions to many Middle Eastern and North African countries. W hy did these seemingly invincible regimes fall\, while China remained durab ly authoritarian? Many observers credited global media for the political tr ansformations. While the hopes of Arab Spring democracy have proven to be f ragile or short-lived\, we can profitably explore the relationship between political communication and regime stability by comparing Chinese authorita rian resilience with Taiwan’s remarkable democratization\, which remains un der-appreciated by the international community.
This talk considers p olitical change in China and Taiwan since the late 1970s\, with an eye towa rd understanding the ways in which communication by state and societal acto rs has affected regime stability and democratization. Professor Esarey argu es that media commercialization\, re-packaging of propaganda\, and informat ion control have contributed to regime stability in China\, while the Chian g Ching-kuo administration’s diminishing capacity to control a small but in fluential opposition media\, and even mainstream newspapers\, permitted ref ormers to press for democratization by reframing debates\, resetting the po litical agenda\, and challenging state narratives and legitimacy claims.
When viewed in comparative perspective\, Taiwan’s successful democratiz ation suggests that seeking regime change is impracticable\, and possibly e ven perilous\, without considerable and sustainable media freedom as well a s opportunities for the public to advocate\, evaluate\, and internalize alt ernative political views. A balance of “communication power” between state and societal actors facilitates a negotiated and peaceful transition from a uthoritarianism.
About the speaker
Dr. Ashley Esarey received his PhD in Political Science from Columbia University and w as awarded the An Wang Postdoctoral Fellowship by Harvard University. He ha s held academic appointments at Middlebury College\, Whitman College\, and the University of Alberta\, where he is an instructor in the departments of East Asian Studies and Political Science and a research associate of the C hina Institute. Dr. Esarey has written on democratization and authoritarian resilience\, digital media and politics\, and information control and prop aganda. His recent publications include My Fight for a New Taiwan: One Woma n’s Journey from Prison to Power (with Lu Hsiu-lien) and The Internet in Ch ina: Cultural\, Political\, and Social Dimensions (with Randolph Kluver).
Please RSVP here. Tea and refreshment will b e provided for registered participants.
View PDF poster here.
Sponsor: Centre for Chines
e Research
By: Dr. Ashley Esarey\, Visiting Assistant
Professor\, University of Alberta
Type: Event