Poltical Culture, communication, and socialization China's political culture is shaped by geography, dynasty, imperialism, Maoist values, Deng's pragmatism, and informal relationships.
Geography- isolated for centuries because of rugged terrain
Dynasty- sense of harmony and hierarchy under Confucianism
Imperialism- expanded distrust of outside forces who tried to carve up China (see map below)
Imperialism in China in 1910
Maoism- a form of communism that contrasts with Marxism and Leninism. Values include:
Collectivism- good of the community above individuals
Struggle and activism
Mass line- people communicate their wishes to the leaders
Egalitariansm- equality for all
Self-reliance- do not wait for directions to take action
Mao was among the most influential people in shaping modern China. He is still widely revered in the country, though his legacy is questionable.
Deng's pragmatism- "It doesn't matter whether a cat is white or black, as long as it catches mice."
Metaphor of blend of communist and capitalist policies
Deng cared more about the effects of policy than the ideology from which they came
Was willing to blend communist and capitalist ideas
Though not as recognized as Mao, Deng's vision for China is perhaps more responsible for its recent successes.
Informal relationships- personal ties are important, but difficult to understand from the outside
Version of patron-client system
Nations and states The majority of China is the Han ethnic group, though there are others near the county's periphery (e.g Tibet).
Map showing ethnic distribution in China.
The Communist Party of China is difficult to distinguish from the official government.
Supranational governance In general, China tends to resist foreign influence because of its legacy of isolation and its experience of imperialism. However, as an emerging world power, China has increased its involvement in world affairs. Since 1971, the People's Republic of China has held a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Prior to this year, the Republic of China (the rebel scum squatting in Taiwan) held this seat. More recently, China has become involved in many other important international organizations. Its participation in the the G-20 and BRICS reflects its growing importance in the world economy. Its major role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization reflects its growing military power.
Logo of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The logo includes two languages: Russian and Chinese. The organization may serve as a counterbalance to NATO.
In all of its actions on the international stage, China follows a simple doctrine: put China first. Commitments to ideologies and allies are almost always subordinate to its own self-interest.
Socurces of power Power in China cannot be understood by examining the state alone. The institutions of the Communist Party and the Army must also be considered.
Representation of the three main sources of power in China.
The source of power in the Communist Party is the Politboro and its 7-member standing committee, and the source of power in the Army is the Central Military Commission.
Constitutions (forms, purposes, application) China's constitution grants formal authority to both party and state executive and legislative offices. However, it is not a major source of legitimacy for the state because the rulers are above he law. Consitution of PRC The questionable importance of China's constitution can be seen in Chapter II. The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens. The rights given to Chinese citizens appear extensive on paper, but they are violated by the government all the time.
Regime types China is ruled by an authoritarian communist regime.
Public displays of military might, such as this military parade in China in 2011, are staples in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes.
Types of economic system The People's Republic of China was originally established with a communist economic system, but its economy has liberalized since Deng's reforms. These liberalizations led to the industrialization of the Chinese economy. The prominence of industry over agriculture can be seen in the chart below.
State building, legitimacy, and stability The People's Republic of China under the Communist Party was established in 1949. Since then, power has transitioned relatively smoothly from one communist leader to another. These transitions of power occur about every 10 years. The Chinese government is known to use censorship to promote its stability.
Graphic showing terms and websites that are censored in China. Much of this censorship is politically based.
Belief systems as sources of legitimacy
Religion
Mandate of heaven dates back to ancient times. It is similar to the divine right to rule, but the "posessor" of the mandate can change.
Cartoon representation of the mandate of heaven
Political ideology
Maoism, as dicussed earlier, believes in centralized power that still values idealism and egalitarianism.
This piece of Maoist propaganda highlight's the ideology's emphasis on unity and the common man.
Governance and accountability Mao believed that communication between the leaders and the people was important. Th concept of the mass line requires leaders to listen and communicate with citizens.
A Chinese leader listens to the will of the people.
Sources China Packet Wikipedia.org CIA World Factbook CultureGrams Gale Cengage Learning
Poltical Culture, communication, and socialization
China's political culture is shaped by geography, dynasty, imperialism, Maoist values, Deng's pragmatism, and informal relationships.
Nations and states
The majority of China is the Han ethnic group, though there are others near the county's periphery (e.g Tibet).
The Communist Party of China is difficult to distinguish from the official government.
Supranational governance
In general, China tends to resist foreign influence because of its legacy of isolation and its experience of imperialism. However, as an emerging world power, China has increased its involvement in world affairs. Since 1971, the People's Republic of China has held a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Prior to this year, the Republic of China (the rebel scum squatting in Taiwan) held this seat.
More recently, China has become involved in many other important international organizations. Its participation in the the G-20 and BRICS reflects its growing importance in the world economy. Its major role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization reflects its growing military power.
In all of its actions on the international stage, China follows a simple doctrine: put China first. Commitments to ideologies and allies are almost always subordinate to its own self-interest.
Socurces of power
Power in China cannot be understood by examining the state alone. The institutions of the Communist Party and the Army must also be considered.
The source of power in the Communist Party is the Politboro and its 7-member standing committee, and the source of power in the Army is the Central Military Commission.
Constitutions (forms, purposes, application)
China's constitution grants formal authority to both party and state executive and legislative offices. However, it is not a major source of legitimacy for the state because the rulers are above he law.
Consitution of PRC
The questionable importance of China's constitution can be seen in Chapter II. The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens. The rights given to Chinese citizens appear extensive on paper, but they are violated by the government all the time.
Regime types
China is ruled by an authoritarian communist regime.
Types of economic system
The People's Republic of China was originally established with a communist economic system, but its economy has liberalized since Deng's reforms. These liberalizations led to the industrialization of the Chinese economy. The prominence of industry over agriculture can be seen in the chart below.
State building, legitimacy, and stability
The People's Republic of China under the Communist Party was established in 1949. Since then, power has transitioned relatively smoothly from one communist leader to another. These transitions of power occur about every 10 years. The Chinese government is known to use censorship to promote its stability.
Belief systems as sources of legitimacy
Governance and accountability
Mao believed that communication between the leaders and the people was important. Th concept of the mass line requires leaders to listen and communicate with citizens.
Sources
China Packet
Wikipedia.org
CIA World Factbook
CultureGrams
Gale Cengage Learning