Re-visiting the Discursive Power of Chinas Generation Z: A Perspective on the Rise of New Populism in China Through Self-Media

Abstract

While the authoritarian rule of China and its media censorship have been extensively researched, the emergence of self-media has introduced a dynamic new platform for political engagement, especially among Generation Z. This paper presents an innovative research perspective, examining the transformative role of self-media in reshaping and fragmenting discursive power, and its subsequent influence on the development of populism in China. It analyzes the Partys degree of tolerance towards self-media within its overarching media regulation policies, and studies how this emergent public sphere of politics catalyzed the transformation of populism along with broad discussions and critiques of societal issues. Focusing on Generation Zs extensive use of self-media for political engagement, the paper underscores the younger generations disillusionment with the current state of media-driven populism under the Party's regime. The paper highlights how the lack of discursive power has contributed to an excessive proliferation of nationalism, formalism, and disparities in wealth distribution. The study offers valuable insights for future research on discursive power in authoritarian settings and stimulates discourse on how self-media simultaneously constructs and deconstructs the frameworks and understanding of populist ideologies.