Jiang Zemin and Theory of the Three Represents

Still on Guoguang Wu's 2003 article which I mentioned in my entry yesterday.

In his article, Wu noted that since it was largely Jiang Zemin (江泽民) who propagated the Theory of the Three Represents, and given the subsequent elevation of the Theory to the same status as Mao Zedong (毛泽东) Thought and Deng Xiaoping (邓小平) Theory, Jiang will henceforth be the "kingmaker" and "final arbiter of future ideological disputes."

If true, this will have a far-reaching effect, given that since relinquishing all officials positions in 2003, Jiang is still well and alive, and said to be living in Shanghai.

But overall, I am a little skeptical about Wu's forecast. Unless there are recent developments to suggest otherwise, I am doubtful as to whether Jiang can play any meaningful role as "kingmaker" or "final arbiter of future ideological disputes."

Part of my skepticism stemmed from the fact that even though Jiang had been building up his power assiduously over the years, he will never - whether dead or alive - be accorded the same status and honor as Mao, and to a lesser extent, Deng. He simply did not have the revolutionary nor political credentials.

Then there is also the fact that while the Theory of the Three Represents is enshrined in the Chinese Constitution, it did not bear Jiang's name.

Of course Jiang might not be content to sit around in his old age playing chess or walking his dog. But it remains doubtful if he can exert any significant political influence.