Since at least the late 19th century historians have argued about the role of the “Great Man” in history. More specifically, they have argued about the impact of single individuals, leaders, on the tide of human affairs.
On the one hand have been those who think history is shaped entirely by leaders, by men and, recently, occasionally, women who stand out. And on the other hand, have been those who think leaders are like everyone else – mere pawns in game of what happens.
But every now and then comes along a leader who wants desperately to shape the historical narrative. Who wants not only in this life to be all-powerful, but who wants forever to be remembered as a Great Man. Such a leader is China’s president, and chair of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Xi Jinping.
For Xi, as for others of his ilk, persuading his followers that he is a Great Man has two distinct virtues. First, it enables him in the here and now more easily to exercise power, authority, and influence. And second, it secures his place in history. Clearly Xi is planning not only to ensure his place for all eternity, but to enshrine it.
To refer to Xi as having created a “cult of personality” is not to capture his accomplishment. Better to imagine him etching his name in the tablet of Chinese history. So long as there is a China, so long will he now be remembered, along with Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, as one of the greatest of China’s leaders ever.
In the recently completed plenum of the CCP, not only was Xi himself elevated, but so, arguably more importantly, was his thought. His is now the “Marxism of contemporary China and for the 21st century.” This means that until this maxim is undone, if it ever is, to attack him is to attack China’s national identity.
The CCP just issued its newest official history. More than a quarter of its over five hundred pages is devoted to Xi’s nine years in power. This is as clear a signal as any that for the indefinite future Xi will be at the center of Chinese political life, Chinese political thought, Chinese political education, and Chinese political culture. It also means that Xi is virtually immune from criticism, In one of the official accounts of the plenum it was stated that government officials must show “absolute loyalty to the core, resolutely defend the core, closely and constantly follow the core.” Finally, it means that so long as Xi wants to hold on to power, he will. At the Communist Party congress to take place next year, recent tradition will almost certainly be upended. Xi will be handed a third five-year term as party leader.
The 18th century historian and philosopher, Thomas Carlyle, was the most eloquent, and ardent, of the proponents of the Great Man Theory of History. “Universal History,” he wrote, “the history of what men have accomplished in this world, is at bottom the History of the Great Men who have worked here.” Xi would agree.