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    China - Non-Democracy

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    Ralph Rezin Moore
    The document discusses China's political and legal system. It notes that China is ruled by the Communist Party of China, which controls all aspects of government. Power is highly concentrated within the CPC, especially with the General Secretary and Politburo Standing Committee. The CPC has total control over the political system and implements policies without checks on its power. While China has a constitution that establishes some government bodies, there is no real separation of powers or democratic freedoms due to the CPC's dominant role.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    China - Non-Democracy

    Uploaded by

    Ralph Rezin Moore
    8 views19 pages
    The document discusses China's political and legal system. It notes that China is ruled by the Communist Party of China, which controls all aspects of government. Power is highly concentrated within the CPC, especially with the General Secretary and Politburo Standing Committee. The CPC has total control over the political system and implements policies without checks on its power. While China has a constitution that establishes some government bodies, there is no real separation of powers or democratic freedoms due to the CPC's dominant role.

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    China - Non-Democracy (1)

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    The document discusses China's political and legal system. It notes that China is ruled by the Communist Party of China, which controls all aspects of government. Power is highly concentrated within the CPC, especially with the General Secretary and Politburo Standing Committee. The CPC has total control over the political system and implements policies without checks on its power. While China has a constitution that establishes some government bodies, there is no real separation of powers or democratic freedoms due to the CPC's dominant role.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    8 views19 pages

    China - Non-Democracy

    Uploaded by

    Ralph Rezin Moore
    The document discusses China's political and legal system. It notes that China is ruled by the Communist Party of China, which controls all aspects of government. Power is highly concentrated within the CPC, especially with the General Secretary and Politburo Standing Committee. The CPC has total control over the political system and implements policies without checks on its power. While China has a constitution that establishes some government bodies, there is no real separation of powers or democratic freedoms due to the CPC's dominant role.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    of 19

    China: Non-Democratic

    Political and Legal System


    China: Democracy?

    What do you know


    about China and/or
    their political system?
    China: Background
    • The Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded in
    1921 and took power after winning a civil war (the
    losers fled to Taiwan).
    • Constitution specifies that the People’s Republic of
    China is a socialist state.
    • The factors of production (land, capital) are in the hands of
    the workers (labour). The government provides enterprise.
    • Disrupting the socialist state is prohibited.
    • The CPC organises society based on this ideology.
    • In theory it is the party of the working class and peasants.
    • CPC claims its sovereign right to govern from socialism.
    China: Background
    • China is an authoritarian, autocratic, unitary state.
    • Power is concentrated in the CPC.
    • Especially General Secretary, Politburo Standing Committee.
    • CPC has total control over the political and legal system of
    government.
    • Pervasive policies: one child, Great Leap Forward, Cultural
    Revolution, Hukou residence registration, social credit
    system.
    • Almost no political freedoms or equality of political rights.
    • Majority rule impossible as there is no alternative choices.
    • No real separation of powers or checks and balances.
    China: System of Government
    China: Social Credit
    China: Institutions and Processes

    • CPC controls the political and legal system as an ‘extra-


    constitutional’ organisation.
    • Is not limited to what is defined in the Constitution.
    • After Mao, a system of collective leadership was introduced, with
    the power of leaders depending on personal strengths and
    relationships.
    • General Secretary is the party leader, supported by a 7 person
    Politburo Standing Committee.
    • Pervasive role of the CPC means there is no effective separation of
    powers or checks and balances between the branches of
    government.
    The Chinese Communist Party
    China: Institutions and Processes
    • A Constitution was introduced in 1954.
    • Cements the socialist state and role of the CPC.
    • Only one party is permitted.
    • Chpt 2: rights and duties of citizens
    • Chpt 3: creates unicameral legislature (National People’s
    Congress); President (part of executive); state council and Premier
    (executive); central military commission; judiciary.
    • Protection of rights in the constitution is largely ignored.
    • Apparent separation of powers non-existent due to role of CPC.
    • Military is controlled by the party General Secretary, not
    government. Can be used to suppress opposition (Tiananmen
    Square Massacre)
    China: What is new information for
    you??
    • On a post-it note list 5-10 facts that you have learnt
    so far in this presentation.
    • Turn to your partner or group members and each
    Swap 3 facts that you have learnt.
    • Is there anything that has surprised you so far?
    • Did you already know what type of government China has?
    • Do you have any questions you would like answered about China's
    leadership?
    China: Institutions and Processes

    • Legislature: National People’s Congress


    • Unicameral with approx. 3000 members.
    • Meets once a year
    • It is made up of representatives from all 31 provinces,
    municipalities and autonomous regions, including Hong Kong
    and Macau, as well as the military
    • 70% CPC, others represent ethnic groups by are subordinate
    to CPC.
    China: Institutions and Processes
    • Executive:
    • General Secretary of the CPC is always President of China.
    • Chairs the Politburo Standing Committee
    • Heads the Central Military commission
    • Appoints the Premier (a politburo member) and State
    Council members (Cabinet ministers), who are then given
    approval by the NPC.
    • Concentrates executive power in the CPC.
    • President Xi strengthened his hold on power in March 2018,
    when the National People’s Congress amended the
    country’s constitution to enshrine “Xi Jinping Thought” and
    remove the two-term limit on the presidency.
    China: Institutions and Processes

    • Judiciary:
    • Appointed by the NPC (dominated by the CPC), undermining
    judicial independence.
    • Nominally (mostly) independent but influenced by political
    pressure from the CPC.
    • Limited rule of law – career of judges determined largely by
    CPC.
    • Cases that threaten the power of the CPC not treated fairly.
    China: Electoral Processes

    • Electoral Processes
    • Only CPC approved candidates can be elected, though
    voting is voluntary and secret.
    • Local elections elect representatives to a Local People’s
    Congress (only directly elected bodies).
    • Representatives of the local congress elect delegates to
    the Provincial People’s Assemblies.
    • Provincial assemblies elect delegates to the NPC.
    • Dominated by CPC and consequently no genuine choice
    China: Controlled Participation
    • Harassment and intimidation of any non-CPC candidates at
    elections and pressure groups that do not align with CPC
    beliefs (lack of freedom of association).
    • E.g. Falun gong, Tibetan and Uighur minority
    independence groups
    • Protests may be suppressed by the CPC controlled military
    (lack of freedom of assembly).
    • No free media – loyalty demanded by CPC.
    • ‘Great Firewall of China’ restricts internet access and social
    media platforms are banned or closely monitored.
    Reading: h
    ttps://freedomhouse.org/country/china/freedom-
    world/2023

    Task: Read each of the main headings for


    each section in the Freedom House 2023
    article. Look at the score each section.
    How do you feel China's system of
    government compares to Australia's.
    China: Democracy?

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