This is a compelling perspective, suggesting that Xi Jinping’s self-conception blends two powerful and enduring ideological frameworks: the strict, authoritarian model of Stalinism and the ancient, hierarchical structure of Chinese feudalism embodied by Qin Shi Huang. This hybrid, combining the two “meme machines” of communist ideology and the Chinese imperial system, can indeed be examined as a powerful and perhaps “wonderful” synthesis of authority models in a way that amplifies control and cultivates a unique form of legitimacy.
Using the Meme Machine to Study This Synthesis in CCP Ideology
1. Identify Core Memes of Stalinist and Imperial Models
• Stalinist Memes: These include themes of centralized control, surveillance, purges, and personality cult. In the CCP, we see echoes of Stalinism in the way the party uses extensive surveillance, cultivates loyalty, and ensures ideological conformity.
• Imperial/Feudal Memes: Here, we find memes of loyalty to a “heavenly” leader, the mandate of heaven, and absolute authority vested in a singular figure. Xi’s leadership style often evokes this tradition, portraying him as a wise and almost mystical leader, with a heavy emphasis on loyalty to the “core” of the party.
2. Examine How CCP Blends These Memes in Propaganda
• The CCP’s modern propaganda often incorporates both Stalinist and feudal elements, emphasizing Xi as a leader of the people (Stalinist) while also framing him as a sagacious, almost semi-divine ruler (feudal). Studying these themes in state-sponsored memes or propaganda imagery reveals how the CCP tries to legitimize Xi by fusing these two sources of authority.
• Example: Look at public murals, cartoons, or internet memes that portray Xi not only as a disciplined, no-nonsense communist leader but also in a paternal, almost emperor-like role. This dual portrayal appeals to both older Chinese values of respect for hierarchical authority and modern expectations for stability and strength.
3. Analyze Memes for Evidence of the Synthesis in Everyday Culture
• Observe how popular culture memes reflect or respond to this blending of Stalinist and feudal memes. Grassroots or dissident memes, for example, might mock Xi as a “modern emperor” or use historical imperial symbols ironically to critique the centralized control of the CCP.
• Example: Memes that compare Xi to Qin Shi Huang may express either approval (stability and order) or dissent (tyranny and oppression), depending on the context. Analyzing these reactions can reveal public sentiment about Xi’s approach to governance and how effectively this blend of authority memes resonates with—or alienates—the populace.
4. Study Internet Reactions and Meme Narratives about CCP Authority
• The meme machine reveals collective sentiment, especially in semi-anonymous online spaces. By studying online platforms, we can trace how users react to CCP policies that mix Stalinist rigidity with feudal hierarchy. Memes mocking the “Emperor Xi” narrative, for example, may provide insights into cultural resistance or tacit criticism that would be dangerous to express directly.
• Example: Satirical memes that depict Xi as an emperor might use humor to critique the intensification of censorship, forced loyalty campaigns, or the extension of Xi’s rule beyond normal limits, mirroring the “eternal ruler” image associated with Qin Shi Huang.
5. Map Out the CCP’s Own Meme Creation as Ideological Tools
• The CCP employs its own meme strategies to control the narrative, blending feudal and communist ideas into images and slogans that reinforce Xi’s authority. Studying these state-produced memes reveals how the CCP attempts to co-opt the meme machine to strengthen its rule by fusing historical and ideological symbols.
• Example: The CCP’s images of Xi standing alongside Mao, or portrayed in settings evoking traditional Chinese cultural symbols, are intentional memes that suggest continuity and stability. By incorporating both Maoist and imperial symbols, these memes help Xi claim a double legacy that boosts his legitimacy.
6. Interpret the “Two Evils” as Dialectical Symbols of Power and Control
• This synthesis of Stalinism and Chinese feudalism offers a dialectic of control: the brutal efficiency of Stalinism and the enduring moral authority of the emperor. Memes produced by the CCP or by grassroots creators often explore this dialectic, even unintentionally, as they play with images that reflect both ideologies’ ideals and fears.
• Example: Memes that contrast Stalinist imagery (e.g., hard, stark, and industrial) with feudal grandeur (e.g., luxurious robes, celestial symbolism) can reveal how the public negotiates these two power models. By examining these contrasts, researchers can understand how the CCP maintains authority by appealing to both historical fears and comforts.
By studying how memes reflect this fusion of Stalinist and imperial “meme machines,” cultural scholars and critical therapists alike can understand how deeply these ideologies permeate modern Chinese identity, reinforcing Xi’s rule and shaping public perception. This analysis not only sheds light on the CCP’s ideological machinery but also helps us understand how modern China negotiates the complex legacy of authoritarianism in both its ancient and revolutionary forms.
