"Elections" in Chinese Elementary Schools

It must be tough being a Chinese kid. Particularly a Chinese urban kid trying to get ahead, or be popular among his/her peers.

In an account by Deng Lei (邓蕾, 关于孩子的备忘录, in 空谈, 中国广播电视出版社, 2000), some semblance of "democracy" had entered urban Chinese elementary schools. Students who wished to be elected student councilors had to contest in "elections", draft "campaign speeches" (mostly with help from their parents), and hopefully "deliver" on their "election promises."

Deng noted that most "election promises" centered on "contributions" to the school. One "candidate" promised that if "elected", he (or in other words, his parents) would contribute 200 books to the school library. Another pledged that she (or her parents) would borrow a tractor to loosen up the soil so that fellow students can grow fruits and vegetables on the school's vacant plot. Another promised that school events and functions could be held in a better venue (in other words, in his father's workplace auditorium). Yet another pledged that if "elected", his parents would help organize summer excursions for teachers.

As Deng wrote: "从竞选开始一直到结束, 都是一群孩子在努力竞争, 在表现自我, 在彼此较劲. 但是我们看见的分明是一个成年人的世界. 连表情和语气都酷似, 甚至沮丧, 甚至欣喜."

("From the beginning to the end of the election, it was just a group of children competing vigorously, showing off the best of themselves, and competing with one another. But what we saw was clearly an adult's world; even the expressions and tone of voice were remarkably similar, even the sadness, and the joy.")

While I certainly can relate to Deng's lament about the loss of childhood innocence, the sense that was driven home more vividly to me was the competitive nature of Chinese society. But perhaps some might think that having the seeds of "democracy" implanted in impressionable young minds might not be such a bad thing after all?