+ Is China a Model for Russia? Comparing Dominant and One-Party Systems Jean C. Robinson, Chief Reader, AP Comp GoPo Professor of Political Science, Indiana University 2010 Advanced Placement Annual Conference AP Comparative Government & Politics

“ Everyone here sees China as the model, since Russia is not the model.” D. Kosyrev SOURCE: New York Times October 18, 2009 Wang Jianwei/Xinhua

Learning outcomes : We will discuss key factors for distinguishing among different types of party and party systems and develop methods for teaching these distinctions to students. We will develop analytic categories for determining whether China might be a model for Russia, by comparing how different kinds of party systems might be more effective with regard to efficiency, corruption, and meeting social needs. You will be provided with some data on measures of party membership, stability, economic growth, and corruption for both countries, and then design student assignments that use the measures to compare the party systems, paying special attention to multi party, dominant party and single party systems.

+ What is it that Russian leaders see as admirable about Chinese party system? And what can this tell us about ways to compare teach and compare political parties? Party System Typologies Two party Multi Party One Party (dominant party)

+ Two Party and Multi Party Systems  T WO P ARTY :  TWO POLITICAL PARTIES DOMINANT TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT ELECTORAL SUCCESS UNDER THE BANNER OF A THIRD PARTY IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. O FTEN THE BREADTH OF REPRESENTATION OF POLITICAL VALUES AND IDEOLOGIES IS LIMITED, AND OFTEN THE POLITICAL STANCES OF THE TWO PARTIES CONVERGE ON SOME SHARED CONSENSUS.  M ULTI P ARTY :  SYSTEMS IN WHICH MORE THAN TWO PARTIES COMPETE, REPRESENT DIVERSE POLITICAL INTERESTS, AND ARE ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE. O FTEN SUCH PARTY SYSTEMS RESULT IN COALITION GOVERNMENTS, AND MORE INTRICATE ELECTORAL SYSTEMS ( SECOND BALLOTS, E. G.)

+ Single and Dominant Party Systems One Party: single party is legally allowed to hold effective power. Although minor parties may sometimes be allowed, they are legally required to accept the leadership of the dominant party. single party is legally allowed to hold effective power. Although minor parties may sometimes be allowed, they are legally required to accept the leadership of the dominant party. China: CCP Dominant Party: One strong party, that is not likely to be defeated, whether because of formal rules or informal practices. Opposition parties are allowed, and there may be even a deeply established democratic tradition, but other parties are generally considered to have no real chance of gaining power. Russia and United Russia?

+ Why would Russia model China? The advantages of a dominant party or single party system Greater control Less cost (time, resources) Greater policy/implemention efficiency Other?

+ Comparing Parties & Party Systems What other ways to compare? Ideology Structure Size Penetration Competitiveness Diffusion Effectiveness

United Russia Party Party SystemMulti Party or Dominant Party? Ideology Structure Size Penetration Competitiveness Diffusion Effectiveness Other? Characteristics in

Chinese Communist Party Party SystemOne-Party Ideology Structure Size Penetration Competitiveness Diffusion Effectiveness Other? Characteristics in

Back to Comparing Parties & Party Systems Party System Dominant PartyOne PartyMulti Party Ideology Structure Size Penetration C ompetitiveness Diffusion Effectiveness Other? An approach

+ Back to the USSR?

Questions & Contact Info Jean Robinson