The Readings for week 6 were largely organized around the theme of political developments in China. To assess political developments in China, one has to be clear with the range of the definition “political”. In my view, there are mainly two types of political developments in post-1978 China: administrative reform and electoral reform. Administrative reforms aim at providing more effective governance without essentially altering the political institutions. Such reform measures include the continuous reorganization and downsizing of departments in State Council, introduction of various regulations addressing problems in many industries (coal mining and food safety etc.), innovations on policy-making process, and also what Cai (2004) described as “managed participation”. As Cai’s paper showed, Chinese government’s effort on administrative reforms, such as the appealing system which is increasingly gaining importance, have severe limitations. In dealing with emerging problems via administrative reforms, the government falls into a reactive pattern of reform: resolving problems mostly only when they come about. In the case of appealing system, the government’s reactive management of citizen’s grievances and complaints appeared to be haphazard (there’s no clear standard or procedure determining whose appeal get reviewed and to what extent can concerns be addressed) and ineffective (the case-by-case style of problem solving can not match the flooding appeals). Moreover, central government’s predicament in treating appeals had only created bigger problem: on one hand, central government wish to gather information from appellants, on the other hand, they fear too much appealing will tarnish official image and lead to instability (demonst...
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...ther discussions to examine the relationship between democracy and corruption, economic growth and public governance. However, Pan’s prescription in later half was really ambiguous and perplexing. In designing independent systems of civil service, judiciary and corruption inspection, Pan failed to elucidate the mechanisms that ensure the independence of those systems. In particular, he was not clear with CCP’s position in his self-designed structure, how to make sure that CCP will abide the law and respect the independence of other systems? It seemed that in suggesting the consultative rule of law, Pan is looking forward to governance with aristocratic/oligarchic characteristics, but to ensure that elites will not exploit mass public and abide by the law in a sustainable and continuous fashion, consultation may only be enough for Philosophical King, not for elites.
The Political Turmoil of China From 1911 to 1927 There were many reasons why China slipped into political instability or turmoil between 1911 and 19287. There reasons include the questionable leadership of Yuan Shih Kai, the presence of the warlords, the One of the reasons was that questionable leadership of Yuan Shih Kai. When Yuan took over control from Sun Yat Sen as the President, he tried to revert to the monarchical system of rule. From 1912 until 1915, he ruled as a military dictator with the support of the army. His rule was already blemished with resistance and that demonstrated that the people did not quite accept him as the leader of China.
Throughout, 1900- 1950 there were a number of changes and continuities in China. From the fall of the dynasties to the rise of the Communist Party, these changes shaped China’s government and society. Although, many political changes were made multiple continuities were held constant such as, consistent rebellions and the lack of democracy.
All through the extensive history of China, from the Qin dynasty to present-day, the Chinese government has been spectator to finish political reformations due to delicate periods in history merged with the soaring of a new movement rivaling for faithfulness of the people. Throughout imperial rule, the era of dynasties
Disruptive politics for China were presenting themselves since the death of the CCPs former leader Mao Zedong in 1976. There was two years of great uncertainty until Deng Xiaoping's take of government was developed in 1978; he had also focused on gr...
Many Chinese social changes occurred during the Han dynasty. Nuclear families became more common due to the free peasantry that developed in China. However, joint families also remained common throughout the countryside. Women in China continued to be less dominant than men in society. They were expected to be selfless, humble, diligent, and courteous. Advanced cities increasingly developed along trade routes and rivers, despite many Chinese people persistently living in rural regions. The biggest and most extravagant of these cities was Chang’an, the capital.
years. In this research paper, I will focus on the transition of China from a Communist
As these economic reforms led to China's accelerating economic growth, they also led to increasing political and economic decentralization where local regional governments made economic decisions, used tax revenue for local projects and received less financial support from the central government(Goldman & Mcfarquhar 2000, p.8). As explained by social scientist Gordan White, he characterized the social changes in post-Mao economic reforms as 'fragmented and fragmenting' (Goldman & Mcfarquhar 2000, p.17) The introduction of market forces as well as political and economic devolution of power to the local governments had produced serious social unrest to the Chinese's society. For example, the economic decentralization of the central government to the local government contributed to the alliances between the local officials and local enterprises. Although it improved the standard of living, this kind of alliance gave rise to corruption and enrich the local officials with power, giving them ultimate control ( Goldman & Mcfarquhar 2000, p.17). Due to economic interest of local authorities, they ignore the central government warning against corruption, labour exploitation and taxes overcharges. For example, due to the dual-price policy in products, it provides opportunities for people who have access to state-controlled goods and materials to make huge profits by buying them at an officially-fixed low price and reselling them at free market at a higher price (Minami 1994 , p.21). This shows that local government do not obey government rules and corruption in government is evident and inevitable. The central government failed to realise that although economic and political decentralization did improve market economy, it would on the ot...
The question posed is best explored through the lens of Modernization Theory, which partly originated with Lipset's 1959 formulation that the prospects for democracy to thrive within a country are directly correlated to its level of economic development. Przeworski has elucidated Lipset's theories as hypothesizing that economic affluence dovetails with democracy because wealth reduces the intensity of group or individual conflicts over the distribution of resources. Democracy – which through representative rule is perceived as the most egalitarian form of government – is widely taken to be the fundamental criterion of what makes a country or nation-state 'modern'. Lipset proposes that economic development sets off a series of profound social changes, such as increased urbanization, education and communication, that in turn precipitate larger middle classes and greater social equality. All of these elements combined, Lipset contends in his 1963 award-winning book, Political Man, provide the necessary framework for the emergence of democratic institutions. Today China maintains all such socio-economic elements. Thus, we are presented with a conundrum of sorts. Either we must construe that Modernization theory is dead, or according to its principles, that China’s democratization is latent, and will materialize at a later date.
Whyte, M. K., (2010) ‘Do Chinese citizens want the government to do more to promote equality?’ In Gries, P. H., and Rosen, S., eds. 2010. Chinese Politics - State, society and the market. (Routledge, London and New York).
In the eyes of those who matter the CCP remains a legitimate government. Before Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms, the workers and peasants were seen as the two most important groups in the Chinese social apparatus. However, as China’s middle class grows and develops, the former two groups have become less important to the prosperity of China. As such, the middle class’s environmental grievances are heard and acted upon while the workers’ employment issues and the peasants’ land theft and corruption problems are not. Unlike under Mao, the middle class is the primary support base of the CCP. As the primary beneficiaries of the CCP’s market reforms, the middle class’s impression of the Party determines whether the group continues to exist. Though all the grievances presented by the three groups demands all challenge Party rule, each group can be addressed differently due to their economic role in the current economy.
Lieberthal, Kenneth (2003). Governing China: From Revolution to Reform. New York City: W.W.Norton and Company
Zhao, S., (2003), ‘Political Liberalization without Democratization: Pan Wei’s proposal for political reform’ Journal of Contemporary China, 12(35): 333–355.
China's development is praised by the whole world. Its developments are not only in the economic aspect, but as well in its foreign affairs. Compared with other developed countries, China is a relatively young country. It began constructing itself in 1949. After 30 years of growth, company ownership had experienced unprecedented changes. Entirely, non-state-owned companies can now be more involved in sectors that used to be monopolized by state-owned companies.
The spread of Communism and its ideals significantly increased during the final stages of the Chinese Civil War which intensified after the Second World War and resulted in a victory to the Communists in October 1949. At this time, the majority of the provinces in China were led by either the GMD or the CCP. However, the civilians in the GMD-ruled cities were suffering rapid inflation, strikes, violence and riots which led to a collapse of public order. Adding to this instability, corruption was rife within the Nationalist party’s lead...
Kau, Michael Y. China in the Era of Deng Xiaoping: A Decade of Reform. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1993.