China’s Political CultureHannah McNeil

- 2100-1600BCE Xia Dynasty - 1046-256BCE Zhou Dynasty - 477-256BCE Warring States - 221-206BCE Quin Dynasty - 206BCE-220CE Han Dynasty - Confucianism was officially established as a basis for the Chinese

state - 220-589CE Six Dynasties - A period of disunity and instability, Buddhism was introduced. - 581-618CE Sui Dynasty - China reunified - 618-906CE Tang Dynasty - Height of Buddhism "Timeline of Chinese History and Dynasties" Asia for Educators, 2015

Brief Overview of China’s Dynasties

- 960-1279 Song Dynasty - Era of significant economic and social changes and monetization

of the economy. - 1279-1386 Yuan Dynasty - 1368-1644 Ming Dynasty -Empire Hongwui laid the basis of an authoritarian political culture - 1644-1912 Qing Dynasty - Dramatic increase in population and strains on the polity

intensified by incorporation of territories. - 1912-1949 Republic Period - Weak central government following collapse of Dynastic system - 1949-Present PRC - Communist gov't and the drive for remaking society "Timeline of Chinese History and Dynasties" Asia for Educators, 2015

Brief Overview of China’s Dynasties

- Land Reform: redistribution of land from landlords to peasants - Social Reform: erased the social distinction between landlord

and peasant. - new marriage law removed the distinctions within the family - women were given full equality with men in matters of marriage,

divorce and property ownership - Thought Reform: "The Four Olds" campaign was launched to

eradicate old ideas, habits, customs and culture - "The Three Anti's" movement was directed at officials, with the

aim of eliminating corruption and waste. The Cultural Revolution - radical movement that closed schools, slowed production and

virtually severed China's relations with the outside world. The Chinese Communist Party - is still the primary political force in China - tightly organized and controls and leads society at all levels - organized as a hierarchy - party membership is open to anyone over 18.

The PRC and Reforms

- protesters in Beijing and other major cities throughout China - took to the streets to demand an end to official corruption and

the guarantee of political freedom - occupation of Tiananmen Square and the erection of a "Goddess

of Democracy" statue and the June 4th Massacre - in which soldiers of the Peoples Liberation Army turned their

weapons on unarmed citizens. Party leaders offered the people a bargain: you can make money

and we will allow you more personal freedom BUT you cannot challenge party power in public or form organizations

Chinese Cultural Studies: "Con Political History of China"

The Importance of 1989

- Confucianism is a complex system of social and political ethics based on piety, kinship, loyalty and righteousness.

- moral guide and prescription for good government. - values hierarchy, group orientation and respect for age and

tradition - interdependent relationship Confucianism believes mankind would be in harmony with the

universe if everyone understood their rank in society. "A place for everyone and everyone in their place“

- Collectivism is inherent in a Confucian society, in order for society to operate smoothly it is necessary to subject one's own desire to the greater good of the group.

Revival of Confucianism and the PRC

China today is still used to thinking in terms of hierarchy - The Communist Party is refocusing on the imperial Confucius,

who was all about obedience to the emperor, hierarchy and loyalty

- Using a political tradition that is uniquely Chinese and supports authoritarian rule

- using the Confucian idea of a harmonious society - a society where everyone fulfills their responsibilities

Revival of Confucianism and the PRC

- commercialization of the media has contributed to increasing pluralism in political discourse

- rise in civil society groups - top leadership now consists of factions and coalitions - Chinese leaders have begun using "inner-party democracy" - the idea that the party should institutionalize checks and

balances within its leadership. - Political participation through institutional means remains

limited, these changes are important contributors to democratic change.

Future for Democracy

China’s Political Economy

Darrell Moseley

Political economy -studying production and trade, and their relations with law, custom, and government, as well as with the distribution of national income and wealth

Mao Zedong (1949-1976)

• Objective -eliminate capitalism and its emphasis on property rights, profits, and free-market competition. – Banned in 1950.

• Chinese Communist Party-Confiscated lands and executed thousands of landlords, plus factories and businesses were put under government ownership. (SOE’s)

• State socialism or command economy- economic resources owned by the state while government controlled production and distribution of supply and demand.

• Economic results from 1953-1957 were impressive but created inequalities b/n industrial industries and investment starved rural areas.

• The Great Leap Forward (1958-1961)-  reorganized collective farms into communes which lead to millions dying from famine. Crop and industrial production plummeted due to using non skilled labor to farm and produce steel.

• Cultural Revolution Period (1961-1976 ) declared war against any opposition to communist idealogy.

China’s Political Economy- Change of Power 1978-1997

Deng Xiaoping and Capitalism (agriculture production, industry,

modernized army, import science and

technology

Deng Xiaoping and Capitalism (1978-1997)

• Implemented Capitalist style free-market policies “It doesn’t matter if a cat is white or black as long as it catches mice”

• Scaled back governments involvement with setting prices and wages

• 1980- One-Child Policy implemented

• Special Economic Zones attracted foreign investment by offering low-cost labor and tax breaks.

• Individualism “Work harder and efficient to make money for yourselves”

• Allowed families to sell farm production to the state at a set amount and the free market at a bargaining price.

• Township and Village Enterprises made business decision & sold products on the free market . (1980-1990 GDP 1/3)

• Legalized private enterprises owned by individuals, partners, and shareholders. Stock markets opened.

Last two◦ were selected as technocrats◦ politically “reliable”◦ economic reformers

Jiang Zemin◦ CCP General Secretary 1989-2002

Hu Jintao◦ CCP General Secretary 2002-2012

Deng’s handpicked successors

China’s Political Economy • After Deng's death in 1997, Deng's successors declared their

continuing allegiances to his pragmatic ideology and policies .

• Amendments introduced to China's Constitution declaring private enterprise a "major component" of the "socialist market economy.”

• By 2006, private enterprises accounted for half of China's economic output (Gross Domestic Product or GDP) and two-thirds of industrial production.

• Hu Jintoa introduced “Harmonious Socialist Society (higher standard living, basic social welfare including health and education, equitable distribution of income.)

• Taxes on agriculture abolished in 2007

• China has become a more prosperous nation by unleashing tens of millions private businesses that are more efficient and productive than state-run businesses and farms.

• China is the world’s second largest trading nation with imports and exports growth rate at 20 percent per year

Communist Party still holds a monopoly on political power. Decisions are made by a few elite leaders chosen from the Communist Party.

Economic growth 10 percent per year

World’s largest importer of steel and oil

Declining heath care system

Environmental issues-dirty air, soil erosion, polluted rivers and water shortage in north China

Inequalities -Gender and Class

Unemployment -4 % official believed to be 40 to 50% in some areas

Increase in crime, prostitution and drug use

Modern China

SOE’s produces 60 percent of China’s GDP- Industries focused on national security, aluminum, auto manufacturing, aviation

Mid Sized firms in competitive markets- Production Firms that focus on global markets

Town/Village Enterprises – small scale sector firms which creates high levels of competition.

Foreign direct investments- 4 percent of China’s GDP (60 million)

Modern China