Social Life at Sea: The Navigational Life of Chinese Merchant Ship Political Commissars and Crew Members: The Navigational Life of Chinese Merchant Ship Political Commissars and Crew Members

Author: Zhao Minghua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: The Political Commissar on Chinese merchant ships is a non-technical position that international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) do not require. Chinese shipowners have set up this unique position on their merchant ships, which is not found on merchant ships in other countries. Clearly, they expect the commissar to play a unique and important role, fulfilling functions that cannot be replaced by other positions. This position has attracted widespread attention internationally. Since China's reform and opening-up, this role has generated even more attention and debate both domestically and abroad. Therefore, research is needed to describe the origins and development of the Political Commissar system on Chinese merchant ships, particularly to describe the current real-life situation of the commissar and crew members. This holds significant academic value and even greater social significance.
In China, merchant ships sailing on the oceans are referred to as "floating countries." The social life we aim to study on these "floating countries," especially the social life of the commissar and crew members, is the focus of our research.
The Political Commissar is a formal position with a unique and important status on Chinese merchant ships. This book presents the results of an empirical study on the role and functions of the commissar, with a particular focus on the empirical study of their relationship with the crew.