Discussion of China

Organization Points 1) News paper is due in six days. What do you still need to get done? 1) News paper is due in six days. What do you still need to get done? 2) Vocab test needs to be taken by all who do not have a 90%. It will be administered Thursdays and Fridays during lunch and after school. 2) Vocab test needs to be taken by all who do not have a 90%. It will be administered Thursdays and Fridays during lunch and after school. 3) It’s Friday! 3) It’s Friday! 4

Thinking about China –The Basics  The world’s most populous country  Relative ethnic homogeneity  Great linguistic differences within one language  Poverty deep and widespread  Great growth of middle class

Thinking about China Essential Questions Essential Questions –Can the Chinese leadership realistically hope to limit the impact of the outside world to the economy? –As the Chinese people learn more about other cultures and have more money to spend, won’t they begin to demand political freedoms as well? –Will the state continue to be able to put down protests like the one in Tiananmen Square in 1989, especially if they become larger or more violent? –What will happen if the CCP continues to have trouble recruiting talented and dedicated members who could become its future leaders? –Hu Jintao and his colleagues are popularly referred to as the “fourth generation” of leaders. How might they change Chinese political life? –And how will the fifth generation, slated to take over by 2014, accelerate or slow down the pace or change?

The Evolution of the Chinese State The broad sweep of Chinese history The broad sweep of Chinese history –Nearly 3,000 years of political history –The world’s oldest large, centralized, bureaucratic state –Near isolation for most of its history –Europeans “crashed in” in the 19th century –Chinese humiliated by European dominance

Marxist Ideals Capitalism was a natural stage in the development of society. Capitalism was a natural stage in the development of society. Change comes about because of inequalities and exploitation within the political-economic system. Change comes about because of inequalities and exploitation within the political-economic system. Marx predicted that communism would come first in highly industrialized societies. Marx predicted that communism would come first in highly industrialized societies. Coercive government would be unnecessary in the final state of development. Coercive government would be unnecessary in the final state of development. Lenin felt that revolution in Russia required the leadership of an enlightened, activist group of revolutionaries. Lenin felt that revolution in Russia required the leadership of an enlightened, activist group of revolutionaries. Lenin felt that structures of the state could be used to create socialism. Lenin felt that structures of the state could be used to create socialism. Democratic centralism, according to Lenin, meant that policies would be made by the central leadership based on what they perceived as the will of the people. Democratic centralism, according to Lenin, meant that policies would be made by the central leadership based on what they perceived as the will of the people.

Marxist Ideals Mao based his communist Chinese revolution on the peasants, not an idea of global revolution, as Marx preached. Mao based his communist Chinese revolution on the peasants, not an idea of global revolution, as Marx preached. The Chinese cultural revolution was part of a struggle against what Marx called the oppression of the state. The Chinese cultural revolution was part of a struggle against what Marx called the oppression of the state. China did not emphasize solidarity with other communist nations (as evidenced by their split with the USSR in the 1950’s) China did not emphasize solidarity with other communist nations (as evidenced by their split with the USSR in the 1950’s)

Marxist Ideals (review of pre-test) Gorbachev’s reforms were intended to preserve the Communist system in the Soviet Union. Gorbachev’s reformed Communist economies allowed private ownership of business. Gorbachev’s reforms were intended to decentralize both economic and political decision-making. Deng Xiaoping’s reformed in China have allowed greater economic freedom while strengthening the political power of the Communist party. Deng’s reforms were not intended to insist that the peasants benefit as much as urban workers.

ELECTIONS Elections designed to give the party-state greater legitimacy Elections designed to give the party-state greater legitimacy Party controls elections to prevent dissent Party controls elections to prevent dissent Direct, secret-ballot elections at local level Direct, secret-ballot elections at local level –Found most common at the village level (could be a façade) –Indirect elections at other levels

NONCOMMUNIST PARTIES CCP allows the existence of eight "democratic" parties. CCP allows the existence of eight "democratic" parties. –China Democratic League-intellectuals –Chinese Party for the Public Interest-overseas experts Membership is small and has very little power Membership is small and has very little power Important advisory role to the party leaders and generate support for CCP policies Important advisory role to the party leaders and generate support for CCP policies –Meet at CPPCC during National People’s Congress (and attend NPC as nonvoting deputies)

Political Institutions CCP CHINESE GOVERNMENT PLA CCP CHINESE GOVERNMENT PLA PARALLEL HIERARCHY Three parallel hierarchies Three parallel hierarchies Principle of dual role Principle of dual role China's policy making is governed more directly by factions and personal relationships (guanxi) China's policy making is governed more directly by factions and personal relationships (guanxi)

Organization of the CCP Organized hierarchically by levels Organized hierarchically by levels The party has a separate constitution from the government's constitution of 1982, and its central bodies are: The party has a separate constitution from the government's constitution of 1982, and its central bodies are: –National Party Congress –Central Committee –Politburo/Standing Committee

Government Three branches - a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary. Three branches - a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary. People's National Congress People's National Congress The National People's Congress choose the President and Vice President of China, but there is only one party- sponsored candidate for each position The National People's Congress choose the President and Vice President of China, but there is only one party- sponsored candidate for each positionExecutive/Bureaucracy The President and Vice President The President and Vice President The Premier The Premier Bureaucracy Bureaucracy

Executives President and Premier (Prime Minister) President and Premier (Prime Minister) –President is head of state with little constitutional power, but is sometimes the General Secretary of CCP –Prime Minister is head of State Council, or ministers, and is in charge of “departments” of government

Executives continued They are elected for 5-year terms by National Peoples Congress, nominated by CCP’s National Party Congress They are elected for 5-year terms by National Peoples Congress, nominated by CCP’s National Party Congress They also serve on Central Military Commission, which oversees the PLA They also serve on Central Military Commission, which oversees the PLA The CCP’s leader is the general secretary and he is in charge of bureaucracy, or Secretariat The CCP’s leader is the general secretary and he is in charge of bureaucracy, or Secretariat

The Legislature Top legislative body is National Peoples Congress Top legislative body is National Peoples Congress –3,000 members chosen by provincial peoples congresses across the country –They meet in Beijing once a year for a couple of weeks to “legislate” for 1 billion+ people  Pass laws; amend Constitution,  On paper very powerful, but checked by Party

Legislature The National Peoples Congress chooses a Central Committee of 200 that meets every 2 months to conduct business The National Peoples Congress chooses a Central Committee of 200 that meets every 2 months to conduct business Inside this is the Central Committee’s Standing Committee which functions every day Inside this is the Central Committee’s Standing Committee which functions every day

Party Representation Parallel structure Parallel structure The National Party Congress is main representative body of CCP, not people The National Party Congress is main representative body of CCP, not people –Has 2,000 delegates –Select people chosen for Central Committee –It chooses a Politburo of 12 people to run party’s day to day business –Many of these people work in Secretariat so Politburo chooses a Standing Committee of 6 headed by General Secretary (Thus merging executive to legislative)

Merging of Executive and Legislative Standing Committee of Politburo includes president and prime minister, plus closest associates, and the party legislative “branch” and party executive is joined with government executive Standing Committee of Politburo includes president and prime minister, plus closest associates, and the party legislative “branch” and party executive is joined with government executive

Bureaucracies State Council State Council –Government Ministers and Premier carry out the decisions made by National Peoples Congress (or Politburo) –Chinese bureaucrats are paralled by party members assigned to their ministries  Leadership small groups are informal groups that link other ministers to coordinate policymaking and implementation –In spite of centralization, provincial and local ministries have had to adapt national policies to local needs

Judiciary Criminal justice is swift and harsh (capital punishment is a bullet in the back of the head) Criminal justice is swift and harsh (capital punishment is a bullet in the back of the head) There is a separate civil court system. Citizens can sue each other and certain government entities. Contracts are enforced. There is a separate civil court system. Citizens can sue each other and certain government entities. Contracts are enforced.

Changes to Civil Law Foreign lawyers have played a key role. Foreign lawyers have played a key role. China has developed contract, labor contract, property, tort, and anti- monopoly laws. China has developed contract, labor contract, property, tort, and anti- monopoly laws.

THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.“ - Mao The People's Liberation Army encompasses all of the country's ground, air, and naval armed services. The People's Liberation Army encompasses all of the country's ground, air, and naval armed services. Important influence on politics and policy. Important influence on politics and policy. The second half of Mao's famous quote above is less often quoted: "Our principle is that the party commands the gun, and the gun must never be allowed to command the party." "Our principle is that the party commands the gun, and the gun must never be allowed to command the party." This propaganda poster represents life in the "Red Army" - the military under Mao before the People's Republic of China was formed in 1949.

PLA continued During the 1970s and 80s the government didn’t have money to modernize Army so fended for itself During the 1970s and 80s the government didn’t have money to modernize Army so fended for itself –It ran hotels, construction companies, factories that produced pirate copies of everything, satellite dishes By 1990s government began controlling the Army and its activities By 1990s government began controlling the Army and its activities

Internal Security Ministry of State Security Ministry of State Security –Combats espionage and gathers intelligence People’s Armed Police People’s Armed Police –Guards public buildings and quell unrest Ministry of Public Security Ministry of Public Security –Maintenance of law and order, investigations, surveillance –Maintain labor reform camps –No habeas corpus rights

Policies and Issues Economic reforms Economic reforms –Corruption –Iron rice bowl broken –High unemployment –Inequality of classes –Floating population –Environmental implications Demand for political power and civil liberties? Demand for political power and civil liberties? Will contact through trade mean that China will become more like their trading partners? Will contact through trade mean that China will become more like their trading partners?

Taiwan China trades with Taiwan, but the PRC views Taiwan as part of China and Taiwan does not China trades with Taiwan, but the PRC views Taiwan as part of China and Taiwan does not –But they want to benefit from its trade

Political Change Today Democratic reforms can be seen in these ways: –Some input from the National People's Congress is accepted by the Politburo –More emphasis is placed on laws and legal procedures –Village elections are now semi-competitive, with choices of candidates and some freedom from the party's control

Politics Today  Hu was Chosen as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China on November 15, 2002  Became President of the People's Republic of China on March 15, 2003, following his election by the National People's Congress, thus replacing his predecessor Jing Zemin.  He is the first party chief to have joined the Communist Party after the Revolution over 50 years ago  Claims to have a photographic memory and tends to have moderate views.

Xi Jinping will likely become general secretary this year. He is a reformer. Xi Jinping will likely become general secretary this year. He is a reformer. Bo Xilai was a contender for the position but was ousted last month. He is a conservative (traditional communist). Bo Xilai was a contender for the position but was ousted last month. He is a conservative (traditional communist). State monopolies, inflation and local debts are all challenges, along with pressure from civil society. State monopolies, inflation and local debts are all challenges, along with pressure from civil society.

What do the 5 th and 14 th Amendments mean by due process? ANSWER: the government is forbidden to take “life, liberty, or property” from anyone without “due process of law.” i.e. the government and all its agents must follow all legal rules and processes and those rules and process must be fundamentally fair.

What is democratic centralism? ANSWER: The Leninist and Maoist idea that Communist Party members are free to discuss and debate issues until the leadership-after listening to members’ debates- take a position on an issue. At this point, debate ceases and all party members take action to implement the party’s position.

democratic centralism Democracy is mainly to consult, not to give sovereignty to popular opinion. Democracy is mainly to consult, not to give sovereignty to popular opinion. Requires unified discipline throughout the party: top-level official party decisions are binding on party organizations and members. Requires unified discipline throughout the party: top-level official party decisions are binding on party organizations and members.

What is Mass Line? The basic principle of Communism which states that government leaders learn best from the experiences of non-party workers. The party then takes the best aspects of the workers’ view, distills them, and forms a new and better version. This version is then returned to the masses in a form that will help them advance in the struggle of the revolution.

Quote by Mao on “mass line” In all practical work of our party, all correct leadership is necessary “from the masses, to the masses.” This means take the ideas of the masses (scattered and unsystematic ideas) and concentrate them, then go to the masses and propagate and explain these ideas until the masses embrace them as their own, hold fast to them and translate them into action, and test the correctness of these ideas in such action. Then once again concentrate ideas from the masses and once again go to the masses so that the ideas are preserved and carried through. And so on, over and over again in an endless spiral, with the ideas becoming more correct, more vital, and richer each time. In all practical work of our party, all correct leadership is necessary “from the masses, to the masses.” This means take the ideas of the masses (scattered and unsystematic ideas) and concentrate them, then go to the masses and propagate and explain these ideas until the masses embrace them as their own, hold fast to them and translate them into action, and test the correctness of these ideas in such action. Then once again concentrate ideas from the masses and once again go to the masses so that the ideas are preserved and carried through. And so on, over and over again in an endless spiral, with the ideas becoming more correct, more vital, and richer each time.

Mass line-Role of Local Party Leaders In this system, the party leads, but its leadership is not isolated from the opinions and preferences of the mass public. In this system, the party leads, but its leadership is not isolated from the opinions and preferences of the mass public. Leaders at the local level are expected to maintain a close relationship with ordinary citizens so the party organization can change their ideas to “correct ideas.” Leaders at the local level are expected to maintain a close relationship with ordinary citizens so the party organization can change their ideas to “correct ideas.” –After hearing the public’s ideas, local leaders then propagate citizens until “the masses embrace them as their own.” In this way, policy flows “from the masses to the masses.”

Sample AP Short-Answer Question: Describe the status of private property in China under Mao. Identify and explain one policy undertaken by the Chinese government within the past 30 years that contradicts that policy. Private property was not allowed (in most periods) Private property was not allowed (in most periods) The constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) prohibited private ownership of property; property was “owned by the people.” The constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) prohibited private ownership of property; property was “owned by the people.” Private property was redistributed to the landless/peasants-land reform. Private property was redistributed to the landless/peasants-land reform. Private property was confiscated. Private property was confiscated. Private property was collectivized. Private property was collectivized. After collectivization of private lands, communes were formed. After collectivization of private lands, communes were formed. The state was the primary owner of property and means of production. The state was the primary owner of property and means of production. People often had the right of use but no ownership. People often had the right of use but no ownership.

Sample AP Short-Answer Question 1: Describe the status of private property in China under Mao. Identify and explain one policy undertaken by the Chinese government within the past 30 years that contradicts that policy. Recently…. Decollectivazation of land Decollectivazation of land Disbanding of communes Disbanding of communes Private production allowed Private production allowed Privately owned enterprises Privately owned enterprises Extended leases for land use Extended leases for land use Household responsibility system Household responsibility system Constitutional reform Constitutional reform –new rights of ownership –Enforcing the rule of law.

Sample AP Short-Answer Question: 4. Discuss various forms of political participation used by Chinese citizens in the last ten years. Economic Reforms: for some this means that citizens have the opportunity to start their own business or make investments. Economic Reforms: for some this means that citizens have the opportunity to start their own business or make investments. Freedom to travel away from countryside to cities in search of employment. Freedom to travel away from countryside to cities in search of employment. Political Reforms: voting at the village level and ability to complain about corrupt officials. Political Reforms: voting at the village level and ability to complain about corrupt officials. –They can be voiced through letters to the editor of newspapers, calling special hotlines, or by calling public officials.

Sample AP Short-Answer Question 5. : What are some consequences of increased opportunities for participation in China? Legitimacy of Communist Party is called into question, which leads to more instability for the government. Legitimacy of Communist Party is called into question, which leads to more instability for the government. No longer a safety net for citizens. They may get rich or poor, but no one there to take care of them. “iron rice bowl” No longer a safety net for citizens. They may get rich or poor, but no one there to take care of them. “iron rice bowl”

Sample AP Short-Answer Question 6. Explain some of China’s population growth policies and why they have been persued? 1. One-child policy to ensure only one child per family, in most instances. 2. Fines for noncompliance incurred for having more than one child without state permission. 3. Preferential housing/educational opportunities for compliance. 4. Exemptions for ethnic minorities an rural areas to reduce opposition to one-child policy.

Why? Economic development Economic development Fear of unrest resulting from overpopulation. Fear of unrest resulting from overpopulation. Relief of pressure on government budget. Relief of pressure on government budget. Strain on natural resources. Strain on natural resources.

7. What are some social or economic consequences of manipulating population growth rates? 7. What are some social or economic consequences of manipulating population growth rates? Social Consequences: Popular resistance to the policy of restriction. Popular resistance to the policy of restriction. Female infanticide: “missing girls” Female infanticide: “missing girls” Selective abortion Selective abortion Sex-ratio imbalance Sex-ratio imbalance Economic Consequence: Need for a security system to replace the traditional safety net provided by children for parents in large families. Need for a security system to replace the traditional safety net provided by children for parents in large families. Reduction of poverty. Reduction of poverty. Economic growth possibility. Economic growth possibility.

China has a communist system of government……... ProCon