During the past fifty years, the writing of big character posters (dazibao) has emerged as a principle form of political expression in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Dazibao have accompanied nearly every major political movement in the PRC. In China, where the state exercises a complete monopoly over the means of communication, dazibao have proven particularly significant because of their impact on the PRC's political leadership. In a society that prizes reputations, outward appearances, and conformance with social norms, dazibao create a public spectacle, the very existence of which implies that the leadership has failed and that the community is disaffected. Moreover, dazibao reach a relatively wide audience at minimum cost and provide some anonymity for the writer. Because of these unique characteristics dazibao represent one of the few effective vestiges of free speech that may be used to voice political dissent in China.

This historical survey explores the development and significance of dazibao in modern China. Part I traces the history of dazibao from their pre- 1949 beginnings to 1976, at which time the right to post dazibao was explicitly enshrined in the PRC Constitution. Dazibao had first appeared as spontaneous expressions of political dissent. During this period, however, Mao Zedong and other leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (Party) co-opted the use of dazibao, transforming them into a means for both promoting the official Party line and attacking the Party's political rivals. Thus, while dazibao offered ordinary Chinese an avenue to express political views, through the actions of Mao and others in the Party leadership, dazibao also facilitated many of the destructive political movements that plagued China at the time. Part II describes the history of dazibao from the Cultural Revolution to the present, with particular focus on the 1978-79 Democracy Wall Movement. During this period, Deng Xiaoping and the Party leadership initially tolerated the writing of dazibao but later outlawed them when messages critical of the government became widespread and when Deng no longer needed dazibao to attack his rivals. Part III analyzes the Chinese leadership's justifications for repressing dazibao writing and free speech generally.

Though dazibao represent a highly complex socio-political phenomenon, several overall themes emerge from this historical survey. First and most important, the story of dazibao symbolizes the struggle of the Chinese people for free speech. Dazibao also reflect the Party's continuing effort to suppress dissent using outwardly legitimate means such as the PRC Constitution and laws promulgated by the National People's Congress (NPC). Last, the endurance of dazibao reveals the contradiction inherent in the leadership's repressive policies; that which attempts to quiet dissenting voices serves only to legitimize and empower them.