CHINA SECTION 4 – REPRESENTATION & PARTICIPATION

CHINESE DEMOCRACY Chinese calls themselves: “Socialist Democracy” Better than western democracy, where corps control politics with money. Legislatures, elections, and organizations (labor unions) allow citizens to influence economy. BUT, party limits all of these instruments of participation

THE LEGISLATURE National People’s Congress (NPC) is main legislature body. NPC can enact and amend laws NPC can elect president, vice- president, head of supreme court, and procurator - general. BUT, powers exercised only under party’s (CCP) permission.

THE LEGISLATURE 5 year terms. NPC meets 2 weeks every march. Size of NPC set before term starts 3000 in 2008 Deputies chosen on geographic basis. When NPC not in session, power is exercised by standing committee 150 members Meets once every two months Head of NPC is also member of standing committee.

THE LEGISLATURE Majority of NPC deputies are members of the CCP Distribution in 2003 – 2008 NPC: 18.5% farmers and workers. >20% intellectuals and professionals % party cadres. 9% from military Minorities: 20% women. 15% ethnic minority. Party controls who can be elected. Encourage “grassroots ” deputies (farmers and workers). Prevent dissenters.

THE LEGISLATURE Some dissent and debate does occur Three Gorges Dam Property Law Un-Communistic Press not allowed to cover disagreement. As economics replaced ideology as motivating factor, the Legislature is becoming increasingly substantial.

PARTY SYSTEM - CCP CCP grows, but keeps changing demographically. Peasants majority in 1949, less than third present day. 20% women Party actively recruits “red capitalists” – private businesses owners and members of foreign companies Seen as key to China’s economic development.

DEMOCRATIC PARTIES 8 officially recognized political parties that aren’t CCP Represent different groups in Chinese society. Total membership of 800,000 Provide advice to CCP – “loyal nonopposition” Meet once year, alongside NPC as advisory body. Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. (CPPCC) New parties are not allowed to form Student movement tried to form during 1989 Tiananmen protest. Failed miserably.

ELECTIONS Real talk: Elections only used as mechanism to give CCP legitimacy. Elections are indirect: members from existing body elect from themselves those who will serve in the next highest level. Most of all CCP wants to prevent dissent or open campaigning. All candidates have to be approved by the CCP.

ELECTIONS - PROGRESS Most progress towards democracy in rural villages. Direct elections of village heads. Most villages also have a representative assembly. This trend affects more than 700 million living in Chinese countryside. Despite positive trend, most power still lies in local CCP branches, and party leaders in the area.

MAO ZEDONG THOUGHT Political culture written in party constitution. Constitution is amended. A LOT. Mao Zedong Thought seen as tool to overcome all hardships. Tarnished in mid 1970’s following cultural revolution

DENG XIAPING THEORY Deng Xiaoping sought to restore legitimacy to CCP. Amended CCP constitution to include: Deng Xiaoping Theory 4 Cardinal Principles: 1.Socialist Road 2.People’s Democratic Dictatorship 3.The leadership of the Communist Party. 4.Marxism – Leninism. All 4 principles must be upheld.

JIANG ZEMIN’S CONTRIBUTION Jiang Zemin further amended CCP constitution with the Three represents. 1.Development trend of China’s advanced productive forces. 2.The orientation of China’s advanced culture. 3.The fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people. Tool to allow for further industrialization of China, as well as allowing increased privatization and entrepreneurship.

HU JINTAO’S HARMONIOUS SOCIETY Hu Jintao emphasized the “harmonious socialist society” Increased attention to environmental causes, poverty, inequality, and health care. Inserted into CCP constitution in 2006.

PARTY THOUGHT CONTROL CCP tries to keep party ideology visible by controlling media, education. Recent trend towards liberalization of media, arts, web-access, and education However, there is still comprehensive monitoring, and often censorship, in all these areas.

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF BELIEFS Religion and alternative sources of belief are returning to China Religion banned during Mao’s time Religious membership increasing in many religions CCP constitution amended to integrate religious believers into economic development. In countryside, peasants have replaced portraits of Mao with statues of folk gods and local symbols.

NATIONAL IDENTITY Changing source of national identity. Socialist goals aren’t enough to motivate loyalty. Increasing appeal to patriotism and Chinese exceptionalism, arguing that China must claim its place in the world. Grandiose shows of Chinese supremacy. May lead to more aggressive foreign policy.

NON- CITIZENS 56 officially recognized ethnic groups. 5 Autonomous regions 2 of each have a majority minority population (it’s an intentional oxymoron) Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous regions make up 60% of PRC’s land area. Family planning policy applied more loosely in autonomous regions. Chairman (governor) of regions comes from ethnic population. BUT, most powerful individual is CCP representative in the region. Always a Han Chinese

ETHNIC CONLICT Major ethnic conflict in Tibet. Hu Jintao served as chief of the CCP in Tibet throughout late 80’s – early 90’s. Unclear implications for conflict. Overall, China is 91.5% Han, which helps prevent widespread and pervasive ethnical conflict.

IINTEREST GROUPS Patron- Client politics is prevalent in Chinese politics Petitioning is common and socially acceptable. Rooted in Chinese culture Local officials might abuse petitioners. CCP also supports several “mass organizations” – interest groups under leadership of CCP. Membership reaches hundreds of millions. Organizations represent special interests.

NGO’S IN CHINA NGO’s (non governmental organizations) allow CCP to achieve social welfare goals. Hundreds of thousands of NGO’s. Must be officially registered. “Access points between party and organized masses”

SOCIAL CONTROL Household regulation systems (Hukou) control movement of workers. Explains how China avoided squatter settlements in times of poverty Technically, worker migration in 80’s is illegal. Work unit (Danwei), used to be source of housing, health care, and other benefits. “Street Offices” control households within specified districts. Growth of private enterprise is making social control increasingly difficult.

PROESTS Ethnic protests occur sporadically. Falun Gong: Spiritual movements that promised internal peace through meditation, exercise, and spiritual influence. Over 70 million followers in China. Branded “evil cult” Surpassed by government

PROTESTS - WORKERS Labor unrest is common New laws protect worker’s rights through contracts and due process. Countryside protests against poverty and corruption occur locally, esp.. in local China.

CONCLUSION People gain increased freedom and are able to be more politically active. BUT, repression is still tense. Access to information is still limited and monitored.