@article{ART003207197},
author={Chung Joo Young},
title={Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience},
journal={Civil Society and NGO},
issn={1599-8568},
year={2025},
volume={23},
number={1},
pages={327-381}
TY - JOUR
AU - Chung Joo Young
TI - Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience
JO - Civil Society and NGO
PY - 2025
VL - 23
IS - 1
PB - The Third Sector Institute
SP - 327
EP - 381
SN - 1599-8568
AB - This study aims to propose the concept of "Gongmin Disobedience" by operationalizing the theory of "civil disobedience" within the Chinese context. Civil disobedience, as theorized in modern nation-states, refers to intentional violations of the law carried out to bring about changes in legislation or government policy. Although it involves illegal acts, it is characterized by respect for the existing legal and constitutional order and employs non-violent methods. However, the concept of civil disobedience does not fully align with the theoretical conditions present in China. Nonetheless, by accepting the core elements of a minimal definition of civil disobedience—namely, the presence of clearly conscious citizens, respect for law and order, a reformist rather than revolutionary aim, and non-violent illegal actions—it is possible to reconceptualize the idea in the Chinese context as “Gongmin Disobedience.” This paper provisionally defines Gongmin Disobedience as illegal but non-violent acts of resistance by citizens within an authoritarian political system grounded in rule of law, without the aim of overthrowing the regime. Based on this framework, the study analyzes large-scale public protests in China, such as the Tiananmen Incident and the White Paper Movement. The analysis reveals that the acts of resistance, viewed through the lens of Gongmin Disobedience, express a strong aspiration for fundamental rights and go beyond mere opposition, embodying a vision for China’s development and future.
KW - Gongmin Disobedience;Civil Disobedience;Authoritarian Rule in China;Chinese Politics;Resistance Theory;White Paper Protests;Tiananmen Square Protests;State-Society Relations in China
DO -
UR -
ER -
Chung Joo Young. (2025). Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience. Civil Society and NGO, 23(1), 327-381.
Chung Joo Young. 2025, "Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience", Civil Society and NGO, vol.23, no.1 pp.327-381.
Chung Joo Young "Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience" Civil Society and NGO 23.1 pp.327-381 (2025) : 327.
Chung Joo Young. Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience. 2025; 23(1), 327-381.
Chung Joo Young. "Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience" Civil Society and NGO 23, no.1 (2025) : 327-381.
Chung Joo Young. Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience. Civil Society and NGO, 23(1), 327-381.
Chung Joo Young. Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience. Civil Society and NGO. 2025; 23(1) 327-381.
Chung Joo Young. Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience. 2025; 23(1), 327-381.
Chung Joo Young. "Formal Rule-of-Law Authoritarianism and Civic Resistance in China: Toward a Theory of Gongmin Disobedience" Civil Society and NGO 23, no.1 (2025) : 327-381.
