chapter 34. political system: governing as partners section 8. governing system the chinese way,...

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Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

Section 8. Governing System

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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Outline

• Introduction

• Collective leadership:

– at the highest level: The Politburo Standing Committee

– Collective leadership at other levels of government

• Apparatus

– Party: the ruling political party of China

– Administrative : Legislative, executive and judicial branches in China

• Road ahead

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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Introduction

• Collective leadership:

⁻ a structure of political system similar to the partnership structure of a law firm;

⁻ at any given level of government, consensus or at least majority support is needed for major decisions.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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Introduction

• The collective leadership is always determined by the level above it.

⁻ the Politburo Standing Committee is essentially chosen by the previous generation of leaders;

⁻ ministers and governors are essentially determined by the very top of the central government.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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Introduction

• Two institutionalized mechanisms also ensure the operation of the collective:⁻ a strict age limit for stepping down at each level;⁻ no serving in the same position for over two terms.

• To prevent a repeat of the absolute authority：⁻ some degree of democratic decision making;⁻ a unique dual system of checks and balances between the party and the

administrative apparatus.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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The collective leadership at the highest level: The Politburo Standing Committee

• The Politburo Standing Committee.⁻ the de facto highest level decision making body in China;⁻ the number of members has always been odd to prevent voting

deadlocks (7).

• Elected during the CPC National Congress every 5 years .⁻ in reality the members is determined by complex negotiations of various

power factions in the party.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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The collective leadership at the highest level: The Politburo Standing Committee

• The incumbent Politburo Standing Committee⁻ elected in November 2012;⁻ the seven members are Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu

Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, and Zhang Gaoli.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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Collective leadership at other levels of government

• The structure of the Politburo Standing Committee is replicated at all branches and levels in China.

• The chairman of the committee at a given level is the top leader. ⁻ the lower the level of government, the more power the administrative

leader has; e.g., university ⁻ there is always tension between the party secretary and the number-two

leader.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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Collective leadership at other levels of government

• In a state owned enterprise, if a deal involves acquiring land, who will be the final decision maker?

• In autonomous regions, who will be the number-one person ?

• Female has ever been elected to the Politburo Standing Committee?

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The ruling political party: Communist Party of China

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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• The Communist Party of China (CPC) . ⁻ the ruling political party;

⁻ the Central Committee as the highest authority within the party;

⁻ the CPC also has a Central Military Commission as the supreme military policy-making body.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

The ruling political party: Communist Party of China

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The ruling political party: Communist Party of China

• the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. ⁻ The inspector general within the party;

⁻ this commission has tremendous power;

⁻ Investigations conducted by this commission are famously known as “shuanggui”.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

Wang Qianshan, Vice premier, head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection

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The government: Legislative, executive and judicial branches in China

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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The government: Legislative, executive and judicial branches in China

• The National People’s Congress (NPC) ⁻ the highest national legislature in China. ⁻ empowered to name the President of the state , Premier, and

President of the Supreme People’s Court.

• The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) ⁻ not elected but often highly sought after(e.g., business owners);⁻ with little real power;⁻ used to accommodate members of other political parties.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

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Road ahead

• It is hard to predict how the governing structure might change.

• We believe Xi will gradually assume a much more prominent role.

– he is likely to have a much bigger say in how China will operate compared to his two predecessors.

The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners