MASTER THESIS Titel der Master Thesis „ A Broken Generation – The Social Implications of the One Child Policy, and its Place in China’s Human Rights Development “ verfasst von Jake Mendrik angestrebter akademischer Grad Master of Arts (MA) Wien, 2016 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt: A 992 884 Universitätslehrgang: Universitätslehrgang Master of Arts in Human Rights Betreut von: Univ. -Prof. Dr. Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik 1 Freedom is priceless, My life is a limited dream, I prefer to be jade broken, To save China in martyrdom. Lin Zhao (1932-1968) 2 Contents My Last Farewell Verse – A Poem ................................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 5 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................ 7 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter One – Origins of the One Child Policy ...................................................................... 12 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 12 1.1 Population control in Chinese history – the eugenics movement ............................ 13 1.2 Mao’s China ............................................................................................................ 17 1.3 Song Jian ................................................................................................................. 23 1.4 Deng’s need for legitimacy ..................................................................................... 26 Conclusion............................................................................................................................... 30 Chapter Two -Implementation of the one child policy ........................................................... 33 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 33 2.1 One state comprised of many ........................................................................................ 34 2.2 1981-83 – The damage is done...................................................................................... 36 2.3 Central Document 7: Relaxation then Re-enforcement ................................................. 40 2.4 Incentives, Disincentives, and Coercive Measures ....................................................... 43 2.5 Shifts in Governmentality ............................................................................................. 51 2.6 The Present Condition ................................................................................................... 59 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 61 Chapter Three – The human rights perspective of the one child policy .................................. 64 3.1 The Chinese system of rights ........................................................................................ 65 3.2 The role of Confucianism and Individual Rights .......................................................... 66 3.3 Development of Rights in the Late Qing Dynasty ........................................................ 73 3.4 Chinese Marxism – the Ultimate Prioritisation of Collective Rights ............................ 76 3.5 A Middle Ground between Universalism and Relativism ............................................. 79 3.6 The one child policy’s place in human rights discourse ................................................ 86 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 95 Chapter Four – Was the one child policy necessary? .............................................................. 97 3 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 97 4.1 The effect on China’s fertility rate ................................................................................ 98 4.2 Comparative Fertility Rate Studies ............................................................................. 102 4.3 The one child policy’s role as instigator of cultural and political change ................... 112 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 118 Chapter Five .......................................................................................................................... 121 5.1 Research Parameters ................................................................................................... 122 5.2 Method of Research .................................................................................................... 123 5.3 Results ......................................................................................................................... 123 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 124 Chapter Six – The Future ...................................................................................................... 127 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 127 6.1 The Effects of Low Fertility ........................................................................................ 127 6.2 Increasing China’s Fertility ......................................................................................... 138 6.3 Further Effects of the one child policy ........................................................................ 141 6.4 Future human rights for China .................................................................................... 144 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 147 Conclusion............................................................................................................................. 149 Appendices ............................................................................................................................ 154 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 159 Literature ........................................................................................................................... 159 Reports .............................................................................................................................. 173 Online Articles .................................................................................................................. 177 Legal Sources .................................................................................................................... 181 Interviews .......................................................................................................................... 182 Abstract ................................................................................................................................. 184 Abstract Deutsch ................................................................................................................... 185 4 Acknowledgements I began my journey in China four years ago fuelled by mere curiosity of what life would be like living in the most fascinating and complicated country on our planet. That my curiosity has transformed into sheer passion is purely down to the many people I have met during this time. Without those inquisitive locals, always eager to hear my opinion on their local cuisine; industrious students, never refraining from asking questions; and my kind-hearted friends, supporting me in my time of need, I would never have even attempted to tackle what has been the most challenging of challenges. I thank each and every one of you. I associate my ‘eureka’ moment with Xinran, an author with invaluable insight into the causes and effects of the one child policy. By giving me my first interview she provided a foundation upon which this project has been built, and by proceeding to welcome me into the Mother’s Bridge of Love (MBL) family, she has given me the security and resources to carry my research on further into the future. I would also like to thank Julie Zhu for helping arrange my interviews in Nanjing and taking me in during Chinese New Year, and the Pan family for treating me like one of your own. My also extend my thanks to all those who have worked side-by-side with me during this academic program. It is rare to be able to engage with a community as diverse, exotic and fascinating as my fellow colleagues, who have all been united by a singular enthusiasm for human rights. Particular thanks also must go to Sabine Mann and Younes Georges. The former for providing a constant source of communication while I was on the other side of the world, and the latter for helping me get over the finish line. I am especially grateful to Professor Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik for first agreeing to be