Li Dazhou claimed that one of the failures of capitalism is the lack of education among the working class. And as the old adage goes, "Ignorance is bliss." Consider other circumstances in which withholding information from a group of people is a way to control them--like how Frederick Douglass became much more aware of his oppression after learning how to read.
Is there any connection between education and militancy? Why is it that so many protests in history have been instigated by students? What is it about this demographic that makes them prone towards fighting oppression?
I think that there CAN BE a major connection between the military and education. For instance history class in a educational institution plays a large role in determining how students view the country and its military outside of their own personal views usually projected from their parents views. A great example of education being mixed with military is the Hitler youth, and the Mou youth as well.
ReplyDeleteThis group is drawn toward rising up mainly because of their age and the period of mental growth they happen to be in.
I believe that there is a definite correlation between military and education. With all of these powerful leaders controlling the youth, like Hitler and Mao, they are teaching them the wrong things but telling them it is right. They (the children) aren't old enough to think for them selves and see what they are doing from another standpoint. They are not educating them the right way and brain washing them to think it is "their way or the highway."
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that there is a connection between education and militancy, perhaps between ignorance and militancy, but not education. I think that students lead protests because they are so optimistic about how they are able to change the world, how they are the future. They want to change the world because they are are going to be inheriting it. They also see themselves as adults and as such do not need to take direction from older people unless they agree with that person. To rebel is almost a rite of passage each generation has one, in the seventies it was punk- a rebellion against the establishment, in Nazi Germany it was the Hitler Youth- a rebellion against any opposition to Germany, for China it was the same as Germany. Student led protests are usually trying to make the world a better place, but oftentimes they are misled, wrong, or are following the wrong person such as in the instance of Mao and Hitler
ReplyDeletethe question of why students are often the instigators of protests is interesting. Perhaps because students are often young and see protesting as a way of supporting their futures that are yet to come, perhaps they simply have more energy but there is also a strong correlation between learning and being young. Though my dad would argue that you continue to learn new things through out your entire life, one can't argue that it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. When we are in school the foundations for the way youths think are layer down and by tailoring the information or simply taking away information would actually negate militaristic society, with out the knowledge of knowing we can, we often won't rise up. it's not the information we lack that makes us stand for a cause but i think more the information that is put before us that makes an impact.
ReplyDeleteIn school, we learn much more than just facts. We learn how to learn and how to seize our educational opportunities to make a change in the world. Not only do we learn how to think independently, but by being exposed to a wide variety of material, we gain the ability to question what we know. This power of being able to take what you have gained through education and use it to make the world a better place is what is happening with these student protests. MIlitancy also comes hand and hand with these protests because the students can easily band together, are young, and have a passion for what they believe in.
ReplyDeleteI think that there can be a connection between education and militancy, but not in all cases. i think that as students learn and become aware of their roles in history, they develop opinions on how things should change. when they are exposed to different rebellions and changes in history that worked for the better ment of society. But i believe that some governments manipulate the education as to keep people ignorant and under their control. that is why we see young people in china hold onto communism because they saw it make sense in russia and they were so young that it stuck with them as a very viable answer to the government that they were not happy with.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting idea that the working class need to be educated in order to better them selves. It is logical to relate this to Frederick Douglass because he would not have known of the true horrors behind his oppression until he read about it in greater depth. It makes sense to link this to China during this time period because their workers were in gears need of education.
ReplyDeleteI think there may be connection. A lot of times, students feel tought too much, maybe they want to have a say in what and how they learn it, which is why there has always been lots of educational discussions. Also, as a student you are just in a very rebellious age, you are trying to become independent from your parents and want to differentiate from the previous generation. Younger or older people maybe care less or are too used to their situation as that they would protest aginst anything.
ReplyDeleteI think education and militancy are somewhat connected, but one can stand without the other. Also, it definitely depends on the nation and their education system. For some time, Mao was a teacher and therefore gained more support through the masses. He literally was persuading the children to stand up for what was right, both in and out of the classroom. They were basically indoctrinated with pessimistic views on the society and reasons to fight for socialism. Not to mention, the time period made a huge impact; China was greatly influenced by Stalinist Russia. In today's day and age, it's hard to argue for a connection between education and militancy. The majority of people are encouraged to spread peace, although the "fight for what you believe in" slogan still exists.
ReplyDeleteThe military and education are both powerful agents of change, both having the ability to throw the state into disarray simply by letting their members run amok. Education is powerful because the youth have energy, unfettered optimism, and the numbers to make change. The military has the resources to impose change. Both also serve as a way out for students. Many times they only honorable options they have are joining the military or continuing their education.
ReplyDeleteIf people are enlightened suddenly about an oppression or an injustice, then there can be a great connection between education and militancy. With that being said, students are young and more likely to organize against a government, because they can be more passionate than other demographics.
ReplyDeleteOf course the militancy is highly correlated with education in any case, since youth is the next generation that would inherit the nation and the ongoing source of the revolution. Hitler youth and Mao youth in China and Germany demonstrate the significance of education vividly at certain time of history. The Hitler youth were taught to resent the Jews population and trained militarily， and so did the youth of China at time, they were taught to develop a strong hostility towards Japanese and western capitalized world.
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