China and IR Flashcards
(41 cards)
What is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)?
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the ruling political party of the People’s Republic of China, recognized in the national constitution. With over 99 million members, it is the largest political party in the world and holds ultimate authority over all branches of the Chinese government and society.
How is the CCP structured within China’s political system?
The CCP operates a hierarchical Leninist structure. At the top is the Politburo Standing Committee, followed by the full Politburo, the Central Committee, and a vast network of local cadres. The CCP’s presence extends down to provincial, county, and township levels, ensuring party control over all aspects of governance.
What are the historical roots of the CCP, and how did it rise to power?
The CCP was founded in 1921 and rose to prominence through revolutionary struggle. After surviving suppression by the KMT, enduring the Long March, and carrying out ideological consolidation in Yan’an, the party ultimately triumphed in the civil war in 1949, establishing the People’s Republic of China. Events like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution profoundly shaped its identity.
How did Deng Xiaoping transform the role of the CCP?
After Mao’s death, Deng Xiaoping took control in 1978 and shifted the CCP’s focus from class struggle to economic modernization. This marked the start of the ‘Reform and Opening Up’ era, emphasizing development over ideology and introducing elements of market economics into the socialist framework.
How has Xi Jinping consolidated power in recent years?
Xi Jinping has solidified his control by gaining ‘core leader’ status, removing presidential term limits in 2018, and institutionalizing his ideology, ‘Xi Jinping Thought,’ into the CCP constitution. He has presented his rule as a new historical era, framing his leadership as essential for China’s continued development and security.
What is ‘performance legitimacy’ in the Chinese political context?
‘Performance legitimacy’ refers to the CCP’s reliance on delivering economic growth and social stability as the basis for its authority. This shift became central after Mao, replacing ideological revolution with tangible improvements in living standards as a key source of regime support.
How does public opinion influence governance in China?
Though authoritarian, the CCP pays close attention to public sentiment. Surveys such as those from the Harvard Ash Center show high approval for the central government, though more recent studies suggest this may be overestimated. The CCP actively monitors public opinion and uses propaganda to shape and maintain its legitimacy.
What is the ‘Mandate of Heaven’ and how does it relate to modern Chinese politics?
The ‘Mandate of Heaven’ is a traditional Chinese belief that rulers must govern justly and ensure public welfare to maintain legitimacy. In modern times, the CCP invokes similar principles, emphasizing economic performance and social stability as modern equivalents of this mandate.
What is meant by ‘Party-State Capitalism’ in Xi Jinping’s China?
‘Party-State Capitalism’ describes the integration of CCP leadership into both state-owned and private sectors. Unlike traditional state capitalism, this model focuses on ensuring that economic actors, even private firms, align with Party priorities. It includes ideological oversight, national security considerations, and increased party presence in corporate governance.
What economic challenges does China face today?
China currently grapples with industrial overcapacity, high youth unemployment, local government debt, low consumption rates, and increasing pressure from foreign tech restrictions. These challenges threaten the CCP’s performance legitimacy and demand robust policy responses.
How is the CCP responding to economic challenges under Xi?
The CCP’s strategies include promoting the Dual Circulation Strategy, investing in high-tech sectors, revising employment statistics to manage perceptions, and emphasizing ideological campaigns to inspire hard work and reduce social apathy, especially among youth.
What is ‘Fragmented Authoritarianism’ in the Chinese government?
Coined by scholars like Oksenberg and Lieberthal, ‘Fragmented Authoritarianism’ describes a system where decisions are made through negotiation among different bureaucratic layers. Although the CCP is centralized, policy implementation often involves bargaining and local improvisation.
How do local officials shape policy in China’s authoritarian system?
Local officials, or ‘policy entrepreneurs,’ often experiment with policy implementation based on vague central directives. This process, known as ‘Directed Improvisation,’ allows flexibility while ensuring alignment with central goals. It encourages innovation within an authoritarian framework.
What is ‘Performative Governance’ in China?
‘Performative Governance’ refers to actions by Chinese officials that project responsiveness and concern without necessarily resolving underlying issues. It includes symbolic cleanups, quick disaster responses, and public displays of loyalty, aimed at sustaining legitimacy in the face of delivery failures.
How do Chinese political ideologies like Confucianism and Legalism influence governance?
Confucianism emphasizes moral virtue and paternalistic leadership, while Legalism focuses on strict laws and authoritarian control. These traditions coexist in modern China, shaping governance styles and reinforcing the centrality of order, hierarchy, and state power in political life.
What role do CCP slogans and policy catchphrases (tifa) play in Chinese politics?
Tifa are ideological slogans that encapsulate CCP strategies and values. Examples include ‘New Era,’ ‘Chinese-style modernization,’ and ‘comprehensive national security.’ These phrases guide policy, signal shifts in doctrine, and unify party messaging across all levels of governance.
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What was Web 1.0 in China and why was it significant?
Web 1.0 refers to the early internet in China during the 1990s to early 2000s. It disrupted the CCP’s monopoly over mass communication and opened new channels for peer-to-peer discourse, including Bulletin Board Systems (BBS).
How did Web 1.0 contribute to civil society in China?
The early internet allowed for the emergence of NGOs, particularly in environmental and social sectors. It also facilitated interactions with overseas democracy advocates, laying the groundwork for grassroots activism.
What kinds of internet culture emerged during Web 1.0?
Internet users developed forms of satire and parody, like ‘e’gao’ and ‘shanzhai’ culture, that provided indirect political commentary. These creative expressions challenged CCP narratives without direct confrontation.
How did Web 2.0 change internet use in China?
Web 2.0 introduced mobile internet and social media like Sina Weibo, significantly expanding access and enabling viral political discourse. It gave rise to major public opinion events and made criticism of the government more mainstream.
What are some examples of ‘public opinion incidents’ in the Web 2.0 era?
Examples include the Wenzhou train crash, the melamine milk scandal, and widespread smog events. These incidents gained traction online and pressured authorities to respond.
What censorship evasion tactics did Chinese users employ?
Users evaded censorship through creative formats such as using puns, images containing text, and vertically or reversed text. These methods allowed sensitive discussions to circulate covertly.
What is ‘networked authoritarianism’ in China?
Coined by Rebecca MacKinnon, it describes the CCP’s model of internet control that allows limited expression while strategically guiding public opinion using directives like ‘do not hype’ or ‘comments off’.
