Political Competition China

How do people participate in politics in China? intro How do people participate in politics in China?

The Party System China

China Party System Party System China’s political system includes 8 independent political parties The other parties are very small and subservient to the CCP The monopoly of powerr exercised by the CCP & lack of opposition makes China an authoritarian regime led by a one party state.

Chinese Communist Party China

8% of China’s adult population are party members. CCP CCP Membership in the CCP is necessary for acquiring any political influence in China The CCP has more than 85 million members and it the largest political party in the world by far. 8% of China’s adult population are party members. Three million new members join the party each year from 20 million applicants. One quarter of current CCP members are under 35 and have college degrees.

90% of China’s wealthiest are either officials or members of the CCP. Since the death of Mao, reformist leaders have allowed new types of people into the ranks of the party Adding new groups to the party allows the CCP to co-opt those groups important to the reform program of the party. Deng welcomed professionals, scholars, and intellectuals into the party. A 2001 policy called the Three Represents broadened the definition of the party to include private entrepreneurs 90% of China’s wealthiest are either officials or members of the CCP.

China CCP CCP Recent party leaders have used authoritarian controls, nationalist appeals, and economic benefits to maintain the CCP’s monopoly on power Deng welcomed professionals, scholars, and intellectuals into the party. The party no longer relies on ideology for legitimacy, but on economic benefits. With economic growth slowing, the party is increasingly using nationalism to gain support among the people.

Circulation of Elites China

Deng did institutionalize a succession process as paramount leader China Political Elites Succession China has no institutionalized “vice office” to make the transition of top leaders easier. Political succession is one of the CCP’s greatest challenges After Mao’s death, Deng did not formally assume any leadership positions. He was on the PSC but led from behind the scenes Deng did institutionalize a succession process as paramount leader He chose Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao as 3rd & 4th generation leaders and had each of them serve for a decade.

China Political Elites Succession Deng’s system normalized succession of leaders, and intentionally chose technocrats who would focus on the financial interests of the party elite. Each successive leader came to power with less personal authority than his predecessor (until Xi) The core group of party elite has shown willingness to follow these established norms of succession (until now) There are term limits and mandatory retirement ages to ensure circulation of new party elites in the PSC.

Xi knows these answers… China

Other parties are not important! Main Ideas China Nomenklatura system Changes since Deng Rotation of leaders Mao’s Main Ideas Other parties are not important!