Global Voices Season 4 Episode 2 Please Vote For Me
- May 8, 2011
Global Voices is back with season 4, bringing to light a whole fresh set of experiences that encapsules the beauty and diversity of human cultures and communities. In episode 2, entitled "Please Vote For Me", Global Voices explores the fascinating and unexpected world of Chinese politics.
The episode unfolds in a small town in central China. It showcases the participation of three 8-year-old primary school students in an election to select their class monitor. But this isn't just any class election - it's rooted deep in Chinese political culture, where it represents an early lesson on the power of manipulation and winning over supporters.
The whole season has taken the viewers through an assortment of great adventures that explore a wide range of themes, including gender, politics, culture, and race. Episode 2, however, is among the most intriguing and captivating yet. It explores the world of politics, teaching viewers about the Chinese perspective of politics and how political games are played at an early stage in people's lives.
In the video, we follow Luo Lei, the current class monitor, as he prepares to step down from his role and give way to a new successor. Three students who have hitherto never run for any post are eager to fill Luo Lei's shoes. They are Xu Xiaofei, Cheng Cheng, and Wang Huimin. All three believe they are the right candidates connected to their classmates' needs and preferences. They all have compelling ideas and want to be the one elected as the next class monitor.
The show captures every detail of the students' election process, which is eye-opening for the viewers who might be unaware of how committed young people in China are to politics. The election campaign among the students is both hilarious and surprisingly intense. The young candidates employ various techniques to win the trust and support of their classmates, ranging from buying snacks, writing name tags and badges to asking their family members to go to the other students' houses and convince their parents to vote for the kid.
Despite their tender ages, the students take the election very seriously and follow all the rules to the letter. The temperature quickly rises as the election approaches, and each candidate starts to feel the pressure mounting.
The show also provides an insight into Chinese education and how it's designed to groom young children into becoming future leaders. The classroom becomes a battleground for leadership, political prophecies, and moral values. Through subtle hints, we see the future leaders of China engaging in political duels and developing skills that will come in handy when they eventually grow up and take control.
Moreover, the show also delves into the parents' participation in the election process, which is fascinating and potentially problematic. In China, parents are known to be very involved in their children's lives and education, and this election is not an exception. Some of the parents go to great lengths to ensure that their kid wins the election, which raises concerns about whether the students are running for the role of a primary class monitor or whether their parents are running for them.
Overall, "Please Vote For Me" is a remarkable episode that sheds light on the intricacies and complexities of Chinese politics and culture. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding China's political games, how propaganda is woven into the fabric of Chinese culture, and how the country has managed to manufacture political leaders from a young age. Whether it is the behind-the-scenes manipulations of the parents, the competitive atmosphere in the classroom, or the innovative strategies used by the students, the episode is an essential piece for anyone who loves stories about politics, education, and human nature.