The Persuit of DreamPPT
《The Pursuit of Dream》: A Case for the Use of the Critical Theories of the Fr...
《The Pursuit of Dream》: A Case for the Use of the Critical Theories of the Frankfurt School and Postcolonialism in the Context of NeoliberalismThe Frankfurt School and PostcolonialismThe Frankfurt School, a group of critical theorists active during the twentieth century, has been influential in the development of critical social and cultural analysis. The Frankfurt School was interested in the totalitarian tendencies of modern society, the role of mass media and consumer culture in perpetuating systems of domination, and the possibilities of cultural criticism as a tool for resistance. The postcolonialism is a body of critical theory and cultural criticism that focuses on the legacies of colonialism and imperialism in the contemporary world. Postcolonialism has been particularly important in exploring the intersection of race, ethnicity, and power in non-Western contexts.NeoliberalismNeoliberalism is an economic and political ideology that promotes free-market capitalism, privatization, deregulation, and limited government intervention. Neoliberalism has been a dominant force in global political economy since the 1970s, particularly in the aftermath of the oil crisis and the failure of Keynesian economic policies. Neoliberalism has been criticized for its role in income inequality, the concentration of wealth and power, and the undermining of democratic institutions.The Pursuit of Dream's Critical Analysis Using Frankfurt School and PostcolonialismThe Pursuit of Dream is a television drama series created by China Central Television (CCTV) that premiered in 2015. Set in Beijing's chaotic Readymade Garment (RMG) industry, the series tells the story of low-wage workers who aspire to become millionaires through hard work and a stroke of luck. The series has been praised for its gritty realism and its portrayal of the lives of China's migrant workers during a period of economic transformation.One of the key themes in The Pursuit of Dream is the exploitation and marginalization of low-wage workers in the context of China's neoliberal economic reforms. The Frankfurt School's critical theory can help illuminate some of these issues. For example, the Frankfurt School's concept of "instrumental rationality" can be applied to the behavior of factory bosses who prioritize efficiency and profit over the well-being of their employees. Instrumental rationality refers to the privileging of instrumental goals—those that serve specific ends or purposes—over other considerations, such as ethical or moral ones.Another relevant Frankfurt School concept is "administered world," which refers to a worldview that sees everything as subject to control and regulation, often by means of bureaucratic procedures and technologies. In The Pursuit of Dream , this concept can be seen in the strict factory rules and regulations that dictate workers' lives, as well as in the use of surveillance cameras and other technologies to monitor their activities.Postcolonialism can also provide valuable perspectives on The Pursuit of Dream. The series takes place in China, which until recently was a socialist-oriented state but increasingly embraces neoliberal economic policies. Postcolonial theory can help us understand how China—and other former colonies—navigate their way through this process of neoliberalization, which often involves trade-offs between economic growth and social justice.ConclusionThe combination of Frankfurt School and postcolonialist critical theories can provide an incisive analysis of The Pursuit of Dream. Such an analysis can reveal how neoliberalism—with its emphasis on free markets, privatization, and deregulation—can perpetuate systems of domination and exploitation even as it promises economic growth and social progress. The application of these critical theories also helps us to better understand China's complex social realities—both its successes and its failures—and to rethink how we might achieve a more equitable and just world.
