The role of sports in shaping national identity and moral character within the People’s Republic of China has been a subject of sustained academic interest, as detailed in Susan Brownell’s 1995 work, Training the Body for China: Sports in the Moral Order of the People’s Republic. Published by the University of Chicago Press, the book offers a comprehensive examination of how the Chinese government has historically utilized athletics to cultivate desired traits in its citizenry.
Historical Context and Government Objectives
Brownell’s research, spanning 393 pages and incorporating illustrations, tables and a glossary, explores the intersection of sports, politics, and ideology in China. The book details how, from the founding of the People’s Republic, the state actively promoted physical culture not merely for health or competition, but as a tool for national development and the construction of a new socialist person. This involved a deliberate effort to link athletic achievement with moral virtue, fostering qualities such as discipline, perseverance, and collective spirit.
The emphasis on sports as a moral training ground stemmed from a broader ideological project aimed at transforming Chinese society after decades of war and instability. The government sought to instill a sense of national unity and purpose, and sports were seen as an effective means of reaching a wide segment of the population, particularly the youth. The book highlights how specific sports were favored over others based on their perceived alignment with socialist values. For example, team sports were often prioritized as they emphasized cooperation and collective effort, while individual sports were sometimes viewed with suspicion if they fostered excessive individualism.
The Moral Order and Athletic Performance
A key argument presented in Training the Body for China is that athletic success was not simply measured by medals or records, but also by the demonstration of appropriate moral conduct. Athletes were expected to embody the ideals of the socialist citizen, displaying humility, patriotism, and respect for authority. This emphasis on moral character extended beyond the athletes themselves to encompass coaches, trainers, and the entire sports administration system.
Brownell’s work details how the Chinese government established a highly centralized and hierarchical sports system, with the state playing a dominant role in all aspects of athletic development. This system involved rigorous training regimes, extensive scouting programs, and a strong emphasis on scientific methods to enhance athletic performance. However, it also involved strict political control and ideological indoctrination, ensuring that sports remained firmly aligned with the goals of the ruling Communist Party.
Scholarly Reception and Ongoing Relevance
The book received positive reviews upon its release, with Louisa Schein, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Rutgers University, offering a review published in in the journal East Asia. Schein’s review acknowledged the book’s thoroughness and its contribution to understanding the complex relationship between sports and society in China. The review noted the book’s detailed analysis of the historical and political context surrounding the development of Chinese sports, as well as its insightful examination of the cultural meanings attached to athletic performance.
While published nearly three decades ago, the themes explored in Training the Body for China remain relevant today. China continues to invest heavily in sports, viewing it as a source of national pride and a means of projecting its soft power on the global stage. The country’s success at the and the in Beijing underscored the importance the government places on athletic achievement. However, the pursuit of sporting excellence has also been accompanied by controversies, including concerns about doping, state-sponsored cheating, and the suppression of dissent.
The book’s analysis of the moral dimensions of sports in China also provides valuable insights into contemporary issues such as the role of nationalism, the relationship between the individual and the state, and the challenges of balancing economic development with social and cultural values. The emphasis on collective effort and national unity, as highlighted by Brownell, continues to be a defining feature of Chinese society and its approach to sports.
Beyond the Field: Broader Implications
The study of sports in China, as exemplified by Brownell’s work, extends beyond the realm of athletics to offer a broader understanding of Chinese culture, politics, and society. The government’s use of sports as a tool for social engineering reflects a long-standing tradition of utilizing cultural institutions to promote ideological goals. This approach has implications for other areas of Chinese life, including education, the arts, and the media.
the Chinese model of sports development has been studied by other countries seeking to emulate its success. However, it is important to recognize that the Chinese system is deeply rooted in its unique historical and political context and may not be easily transferable to other societies. The book serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of excessive state control and the importance of safeguarding individual freedoms and ethical principles in the pursuit of athletic excellence.
