Political rehabilitation

Political rehabilitation is the process by which a member of a political organization or government who has fallen into disgrace is restored to public life. It is usually applied to leaders or other prominent individuals who regain their prominence after a period in which they have no influence or standing. Historically, the concept is usually associated with Communist states and parties where, as a result of shifting political lines often as part of a power struggle, leading members of the Communist Party find themselves on the losing side of a political conflict and out of favour (often to the point of being denounced or even imprisoned) as a result. These individuals may be rehabilitated either as a result of capitulating to the dominant political line and renouncing their former beliefs or allegiances to disgraced leaders, or they may be rehabilitated as a result of a change in the political leadership of the party, either a change in personnel or a change in political line, so that the views or associations which caused the individual, or group of individuals, to fall into disgrace are viewed more sympathetically.

Related Topics:
Communist state - Parties

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Well known figures who have been rehabilitated include Deng Xiaoping who fell into disgrace during the Cultural Revolution for being a "third roader" but was rehabilitated subsequently and became paramount leader of the People's Republic of China.

Related Topics:
Deng Xiaoping - Cultural Revolution - People's Republic of China

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In the Soviet Union following the death of Stalin, the process of destalinization pursued after the 20th Party Congress included the rehabilitation of numerous individuals who had been purged.

Related Topics:
Soviet Union - Stalin - Destalinization - 20th Party Congress - Rehabilitation - Purge

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