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International Sociology
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Structural and Symbolic Centers

Center Displacement in the 1989 Chinese Student Movement

Elaine Chan

City University of Hong Kong

This article makes a distinction between the symbolic and the structural centers of the nation-state. Whereas the structure center connotes state power, the symbolic center is closer to the concept of the nation and is vital to the creation of a sense of nationhood. The symbolic center contains values, symbols, rituals and myths that define nationhood. Since it is fundamental to the delineation of a nation, it is sacred. Although the two centers are analytically separate, being in command of one does not necessarily entail command of the other. However, claiming representation of the symbolic center is tremendously important for the legitimation of the structural center. The 1989 Chinese student movement is used to illustrate that students displaced the Chinese Communist Party to become the center of symbolic power. The crackdown reasserted the party's structural control over society only; it therefore had to introduce various measures to purify itself and cleanse society so as to regain its place as the occupant of the symbolic center.

Key Words: center • center displacement • nation • symbolic center • Tiananmen incident

International Sociology, Vol. 14, No. 3, 337-354 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/0268580999014003007
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