Discussion of ChinaDiscussion of China

Thinking about ChinaThinking about China

The BasicsThe Basics The world’s most populous countryThe world’s most populous country Relative ethnic homogeneityRelative ethnic homogeneity Great linguistic differences within one Great linguistic differences within one

languagelanguage Poverty deep and widespreadPoverty deep and widespread Great growth of middle classGreat growth of middle class

Thinking about ChinaThinking about China Key QuestionsKey Questions

– Can the Chinese leadership realistically hope to Can the Chinese leadership realistically hope to limit the impact of the outside world to the limit the impact of the outside world to the economy?economy?

– As the Chinese people learn more about other As the Chinese people learn more about other cultures and have more money to spend, won’t cultures and have more money to spend, won’t they begin to demand political freedoms as well?they begin to demand political freedoms as well?

– Will the state continue to be able to put down Will the state continue to be able to put down protests like the one in Tiananmen Square in 1989, protests like the one in Tiananmen Square in 1989, especially if they become larger or more violent?especially if they become larger or more violent?

– What will happen if the CCP continues to have What will happen if the CCP continues to have trouble recruiting talented and dedicated members trouble recruiting talented and dedicated members who could become its future leaders?who could become its future leaders?

– Hu Jintao and his colleagues are popularly referred Hu Jintao and his colleagues are popularly referred to as the “fourth generation” of leaders. How might to as the “fourth generation” of leaders. How might they change Chinese political life?they change Chinese political life?

– And how will the fifth generation, slated to take And how will the fifth generation, slated to take over by 2013, accelerate or slow down the pace or over by 2013, accelerate or slow down the pace or change?change?

The Evolution of the Chinese The Evolution of the Chinese StateState

The broad sweep of Chinese historyThe broad sweep of Chinese history– Nearly 3,000 years of political historyNearly 3,000 years of political history– The world’s oldest large, centralized, The world’s oldest large, centralized,

bureaucratic statebureaucratic state– Near isolation for most of its historyNear isolation for most of its history– Europeans “crashed in” in the 19th Europeans “crashed in” in the 19th

centurycentury– Chinese humiliated by European Chinese humiliated by European

dominancedominance

Marxist Ideals (review of pre-Marxist Ideals (review of pre-test)test)

Capitalism was a natural stage in the development of Capitalism was a natural stage in the development of society. society.

Change comes about because of inequalities and Change comes about because of inequalities and exploitation within the political-economic system.exploitation within the political-economic system.

Marx predicted that communism would come first in highly Marx predicted that communism would come first in highly industrialized societies.industrialized societies.

Coercive government would be unnecessary in the final Coercive government would be unnecessary in the final state of development.state of development.

Lenin felt that revolution in Russia required the leadership Lenin felt that revolution in Russia required the leadership of an enlightened, activist group of revolutionaries.of an enlightened, activist group of revolutionaries.

Lenin felt that structures of the state could be used to Lenin felt that structures of the state could be used to create socialism.create socialism.

Democratic centralism, according to Lenin, meant that Democratic centralism, according to Lenin, meant that policies would be made by the central leadership based on policies would be made by the central leadership based on what they perceived as the will of the people. what they perceived as the will of the people.

Marxist Ideals (review of pre-Marxist Ideals (review of pre-test)test)

Mao based his communist Chinese Mao based his communist Chinese revolution on the peasants, not an idea revolution on the peasants, not an idea of global revolution, as Marx preached. of global revolution, as Marx preached.

The Chinese cultural revolution was The Chinese cultural revolution was part of a struggle against what Marx part of a struggle against what Marx called the oppression of the state.called the oppression of the state.

China did not emphasize solidarity with China did not emphasize solidarity with other communist nations (as evidenced other communist nations (as evidenced by their split with the USSR in the by their split with the USSR in the 1950’s)1950’s)

Marxist Ideals (review of pre-Marxist Ideals (review of pre-test)test)

Gorbachev’s reforms were intended to preserve Gorbachev’s reforms were intended to preserve the Communist system in the Soviet Union.the Communist system in the Soviet Union.

Gorbachev’s reformed Communist economies Gorbachev’s reformed Communist economies allowed private ownership of business. allowed private ownership of business.

Gorbachev’s reforms were intended to Gorbachev’s reforms were intended to decentralize both economic and political decision-decentralize both economic and political decision-making. making.

Deng Xiaoping’s reformed in China have allowed Deng Xiaoping’s reformed in China have allowed greater economic freedom while strengthening greater economic freedom while strengthening the political power of the Communist party. the political power of the Communist party.

Deng’s reforms were not intended to insist that Deng’s reforms were not intended to insist that the peasants benefit as much as urban workers. the peasants benefit as much as urban workers.

What do the 5What do the 5thth and 14 and 14thth Amendments mean by Amendments mean by due due

processprocess??ANSWER: the government is forbidden ANSWER: the government is forbidden

to take “to take “life, liberty, or propertylife, liberty, or property” ” from anyone without “due process of from anyone without “due process of law.”law.”

i.e. the government and all its agents i.e. the government and all its agents must follow all legal must follow all legal rulesrules and and processesprocesses and those rules and and those rules and process must be fundamentally fair. process must be fundamentally fair.

Is due process in the U.S. a Is due process in the U.S. a process or a policy?process or a policy?

ANSWER: it is BOTH. ANSWER: it is BOTH.

What is What is democratic democratic centralismcentralism??

ANSWER: The ANSWER: The LeninistLeninist and and MaoistMaoist idea idea that Communist Party members are that Communist Party members are free to free to discussdiscuss and and debatedebate issues issues until the leadership-after listening to until the leadership-after listening to members’ debates- take a members’ debates- take a positionposition on an issue. At this point, debate on an issue. At this point, debate ceasesceases and all and all partyparty members take members take action to implement the party’s action to implement the party’s position.position.

democratic centralismdemocratic centralism

Democracy is mainly to Democracy is mainly to consultconsult, not , not to give to give sovereigntysovereignty to to popularpopular opinionopinion. .

Requires unified Requires unified disciplinediscipline throughout the party: top-level throughout the party: top-level official party official party decisionsdecisions are binding on are binding on party party organizationsorganizations and and membersmembers..

Progressive Labor Party’s view Progressive Labor Party’s view of democratic centralismof democratic centralism

Excerpt from the Chinese Excerpt from the Chinese People’s DailyPeople’s Daily on on democratic democratic

centralismcentralism

Big IdeaBig Idea

CENTRALISM IS NEVER SACRIFICED CENTRALISM IS NEVER SACRIFICED TO DEMOCRACY!TO DEMOCRACY!

Is Is democratic centralism democratic centralism a a process or a policy?process or a policy?

ANSWER: processANSWER: process

What is What is Mass LineMass Line??

ANSWER: The basic principle of ANSWER: The basic principle of Communism which states that Communism which states that government leaders learn best from the government leaders learn best from the experiencesexperiences of of non-partynon-party workersworkers. The . The party then takes the best aspects of the party then takes the best aspects of the workers’ view, distills them, and forms a workers’ view, distills them, and forms a new and better version. This version is new and better version. This version is then returned to the masses in a form then returned to the masses in a form that will help them advance in the that will help them advance in the strugglestruggle of the of the revolutionrevolution. .

Quote by Mao on “mass Quote by Mao on “mass line”line”

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

Mass line-Role of Local Party Mass line-Role of Local Party LeadersLeaders

In this system, the party In this system, the party leadsleads, but its , but its leadership is not leadership is not isolatedisolated from the from the opinions and preferences of the opinions and preferences of the mass mass publicpublic. .

Leaders at the local level are expected to Leaders at the local level are expected to maintain a close relationship with ordinary maintain a close relationship with ordinary citizens so the party organization can citizens so the party organization can change their ideas to “change their ideas to “correct ideascorrect ideas.” .” – After hearing the public’s ideas, local leaders After hearing the public’s ideas, local leaders

then then propagatepropagate citizens until “the masses citizens until “the masses embrace them as their own.” In this way, embrace them as their own.” In this way, policy flows “policy flows “from the masses to the masses.” from the masses to the masses.”

Is Is mass linemass line a process or a a process or a policy?policy?

ANSWER: both, like due process. ANSWER: both, like due process.

DISCUSSION: To what degree is DISCUSSION: To what degree is mass mass lineline and and democratic centralismdemocratic centralism democratic?democratic?

1. Identify goals of the Great 1. Identify goals of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution Proletarian Cultural Revolution

in China.in China. Cleansing of Western values/ anti capitalism.Cleansing of Western values/ anti capitalism. Revising educationRevising education Purging Purging political enemiespolitical enemies Reinforcing political Reinforcing political legitimacylegitimacy Purging educational institutions.Purging educational institutions. Affirming revolutionary ideas/values.Affirming revolutionary ideas/values. Promoting ideological conformityPromoting ideological conformity Repressing Repressing dissentdissent Attacking intelligentsia/middle class.Attacking intelligentsia/middle class. Discrediting the past/old orderDiscrediting the past/old order Elevating the status of the Elevating the status of the leader/cult of personalityleader/cult of personality

2. Explain what it means to say that a 2. Explain what it means to say that a government has transparency. How has the government has transparency. How has the Chinese government limited transparency Chinese government limited transparency

since 1997.since 1997.What it means…..What it means….. A government has transparency when it A government has transparency when it

disseminates accurate disseminates accurate politicalpolitical and and economiceconomic information to the public. information to the public.

A government has transparency when it A government has transparency when it allows information about government and allows information about government and policy to policy to circulatecirculate openlyopenly..

A government has transparency when it A government has transparency when it allows citizens several points of access for allows citizens several points of access for obtaining information about obtaining information about governmentalgovernmental actionsactions. .

China has limited since 1997 by……China has limited since 1997 by…… Closed government Closed government proceedingsproceedings (e.g, courts). (e.g, courts). Censorship of information relating to the Censorship of information relating to the

public policy or events of public policy or events of publicpublic relevancerelevance.. Government control of the media, linked to Government control of the media, linked to

transparency.transparency. Not publishing Not publishing budgetarybudgetary informationinformation or or

information on salaries of government information on salaries of government officials.officials.

Suppressing any information that could be Suppressing any information that could be construed as damaging to the government.construed as damaging to the government.

Secrecy in Secrecy in selectionselection of of leadersleaders..

3. Describe the status of private property in 3. Describe the status of private property in China under Mao. Identify and explain one China under Mao. Identify and explain one

policy undertaken by the Chinese policy undertaken by the Chinese government within the past 30 years that government within the past 30 years that

contradicts that policy.contradicts that policy. Private propertyPrivate property was not allowed (in most periods) was not allowed (in most periods) The constitution of the People’s Republic of China The constitution of the People’s Republic of China

(PRC) prohibited private ownership of property; (PRC) prohibited private ownership of property; property was “owned by the people.”property was “owned by the people.”

Private property was redistributed to the Private property was redistributed to the landless/peasants-landlandless/peasants-land reform. reform.

Private property was Private property was confiscatedconfiscated.. Private property was Private property was collectivizedcollectivized.. After collectivization of private lands, communes After collectivization of private lands, communes

were formed.were formed. The state was the The state was the primaryprimary owner of property and owner of property and

means of production.means of production. People often had the right of use but no ownership. People often had the right of use but no ownership.

Recently….Recently…. DecollectivazationDecollectivazation of land of land Disbanding of communesDisbanding of communes Private production allowedPrivate production allowed Privately owned Privately owned enterprisesenterprises Extended Extended leasesleases for land use for land use Household Household responsibilityresponsibility system system Constitutional reformConstitutional reform

– new rights of ownershipnew rights of ownership– Enforcing the rule of law.Enforcing the rule of law.

4. Discuss various forms of 4. Discuss various forms of political participation used by political participation used by Chinese citizens in the last ten Chinese citizens in the last ten

years.years. Economic ReformsEconomic Reforms: for some this means that : for some this means that

citizens have the opportunity to start their citizens have the opportunity to start their own business or make investments. own business or make investments.

Freedom to travel away from Freedom to travel away from countrysidecountryside to to cities in search of cities in search of employmentemployment. .

Political ReformsPolitical Reforms: voting at the village level : voting at the village level and ability to complain about corrupt officials. and ability to complain about corrupt officials. – They can be voiced through letters to the editor of They can be voiced through letters to the editor of

newspapers, calling special hotlines, or by calling newspapers, calling special hotlines, or by calling public officials.public officials.

5. What are some 5. What are some consequences of increased consequences of increased

opportunities for participation opportunities for participation in China?in China?

Legitimacy of Communist Party is Legitimacy of Communist Party is called into question, which leads to called into question, which leads to more more instabilityinstability for the government. for the government.

No longer a No longer a safety net for citizenssafety net for citizens. . They may get rich or poor, but no They may get rich or poor, but no one there to take care of them. “iron one there to take care of them. “iron rice bowl”rice bowl”

6. Explain some of China’s 6. Explain some of China’s population growth policies and population growth policies and why they have been persued?why they have been persued?

1.1. One-child policyOne-child policy to ensure only one child to ensure only one child per family, in most instances.per family, in most instances.

2.2. Fines for noncompliance incurred for Fines for noncompliance incurred for having more than one child without state having more than one child without state permission.permission.

3.3. Preferential hPreferential housing/educationalousing/educational opportunities for compliance.opportunities for compliance.

4.4. Exemptions for Exemptions for ethnicethnic minoritiesminorities an rural an rural areas to reduce opposition to one-child areas to reduce opposition to one-child policy. policy.

Why?Why? EconomicEconomic developmentdevelopment Fear of unrest resulting from Fear of unrest resulting from

overpopulation.overpopulation. Relief of pressure on government Relief of pressure on government

budgetbudget.. Strain on Strain on naturalnatural resourcesresources. .

7. What are some social or 7. What are some social or economic consequences of economic consequences of

manipulating population growth manipulating population growth rates?rates?

Social Social Consequences:Consequences:

Popular resistance Popular resistance to the policy of to the policy of restriction.restriction.

Female infanticide: Female infanticide: ““missing girlsmissing girls””

SelectiveSelective abortion abortion Sex-ratio Sex-ratio

imbalanceimbalance

Economic Economic Consequence:Consequence:

Need for a security Need for a security system to replace system to replace the the traditionaltraditional safetysafety netnet provided by provided by children for parents children for parents in large families.in large families.

Reduction of Reduction of povertypoverty..

Economic growth Economic growth possibility.possibility.