Chapter 9 Politics in China
Brief Background Info President (head of state) is Hu Jintao Premier (head of government) is Wen Jiabao People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded by Mao Zedong (Tse-tung) He is credited with transforming a backward, agricultural area to modernization Established hope of prosperity among citizens
Present Day China Communist party state (single party state) Authoritarian but not totalitarian Is not tolerant of challenges to power Major focus is economic growth, but also reforming politically & socially Legitimacy is based on economic performance
Current Challenges Establishing a sense of nationalism Economy Membership in the World Trade Organization Inequity among citizens
Sense of Nationalism Attempting to build community through non-political activities (2008 Olympics)
Economy Reforming to compete with world superpowers Transition from communist to market-oriented Large rate of foreign investment “Iron Rice Bowl” (permanent, secure employment) is gone Downsizing and layoffs are major issues
Membership in WTO Domestic companies that cannot compete in world market are suffering high unemployment levels and going bankrupt Benefits exporting businesses such as toys, clothes, etc.
Inequity Among Citizens Rural citizens earn less than half of urban citizens