Civil Society In China

Question: Discuss about the Civil Society In China. Answer: Internet and Civil Society In China Introduction: Usage of internet in the public sphere has created public debate and problem articulation. Internet plays a supervisory role in the Chinese politics. Internet has also helped to shape the social organizations by creating a virtual community for the internet users by expanding the old principles of association by the means of creating a new platform where everyone can participate in the discussion (Chen 2014). Internet has become a dynamic weapon for the civilians to protest against the oppressing society. This article provides an overview of the internet usage and the Civil Society in China. The articles stresses on the importance of internet in the development of a new social phenomenon in China. Discussion: In the recent years much focus has been made on the development of civil society in China. In fact, the struggle has been considered as an emerging form of the reform era (Sullivan 2014). The concept of civil society is to protect the rights of the citizens and also allow them to participate in the political sphere. Chinas drive towards economic reform and modernization of the state has given new opportunities to the Chinese citizens to participate in the reform movements (Yang 2014). The recent development in the internet has been found to open up better scope to the people of China to participate in the civil reform. Further development is bound to shape the technology and the participation of people in the civil society. Internet connectivity was lately made official in China in 1994, but the development pace has been found to be high. There were only 10, 000 internet users in China when internet was made official but the number of computers and internet connections were found to increase to 2.1 million by the end of 1998; and in 2002 it was 59.1 million (Teets 2014). Internet not only helped to connect people with each other, but it also helped in other spheres of regular activities as well. Internet was largely used for the academic purpose that made the use of internet relevant among the learners (Yang 2014). Thus, it can be said that internet has been penetrating in every sphere of life. Online publishing became so popular and the number of websites developed within a short time saw no bounds (Sullivan 2014). Newspapers and magazines were also started to be available online. This was the time when not only the Editors but the readers can also keep their view point on a particular issue. Conclusion: Understanding the change in the civil society of China with the advent internet is not simple. However, this platform has given better opportunities to the citizens to participate in the civil rights and has helped to strengthen the civil society. It can be said that internet is a double edged weapon that might act differently in different societies but for China it has brought a new life to the people struggling for democratic rights and basic human rights to the civilians. References: Chen, W., 2014. Taking stock, moving forward: The internet, social networks and civic engagement in Chinese societies. Sullivan, J., 2014. Chinas Weibo: Is faster different?.New Media Society,16(1), pp.24-37. Teets, J.C., 2014.Civil society under authoritarianism: The China model. Cambridge University Press. Yang, G., 2014. Internet activism the party-state in China.Daedalus,143(2), pp.110-123.