Joining this module has been an eye-opener, at least to me personally. Prior to this, I have no knowledge in the field of politics. This module served well in building a solid foundation for me in understanding the political situation in China. The future direction of CCP has sparked my interest in the politics in China, seeing that it has done so well in leading China to becoming the economy powerhouse China is today. This essay reflects on my previous research, providing my personal view on the future of China’s political position.
To sum it all up, China’s success today is mainly contributed to the economy reform pushed forward by Deng Xiaoping. Under the reform, China had undergone unprecedented growth compared to the world in modern history. At sight, it might be due to the large population and natural resource China has. However, there are so many factors contributed to this that essentially made this possible. first, China had been able to benefit from implementing what works best in her neighbouring countries such as Taiwan, South Korea. In doing so, China could accelerate economy growth by choosing the shortest route of development. Also, China had just passed the great famine right before reform, which drives CCP to either adapt or die out. In addition to that, attempt to limit on the population growth by pushing forward both ‘later, longer, fewer“ and the highly controversial one child policy has also proven to have accelerated China’s economy take off by 10 years shown in Yu’s research (2010). Furthermore, gearing towards manufacturing based in China has also proven as better growth drive compared to India that emphasized on service industry. These are some of the main factors that accounted for the 3 decades rapid growth in China.
Yet, in the midst of the 3 decades of development, corruption has become very rampant. In the early stage, Hu Yaobang’s attempt to flush out corrupted officials by investigating the finance of the high ranking’s children in his anti-corruption campaign, aiming to eradicate corruption, has angered many of the officials and even Deng Xiaoping. Eventually, he was pushed towards his downfall. Shortly after his death, comes the brutal massacre in Tiananmen that many argued to be the fall of CCP. However, this is not the case seen in today’s China where CCP thrived in maintaining control over China. This showed Deng does not tolerate in risking CCP’s control over China even if it means accepting corruption to be practiced in the party. As a result, much questionable fortune had amassed among the government officials and their close relatives and friends. Again, after many years, Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has deemed successful in eradicating corruption. However, this is only measured by the amount of people arrested, and riches confiscated. The drive behind Xi’s campaign is very debatable, seeing that CCP’s survival is put above all else compared to Hu’s campaign, which aimed to push forward a clean, transparent, democratic government. After all, Xi’s family fortune is amounted up to billions in value and many princelings have been given high-ranking position in state-owned enterprises allowing them to be in control of billions in asset (Kwong, 2013). In my opinion, Xi’s attempt in balancing between soothing public anger and ensure the survival of the Party might backfire when internal conflict rises among the party cadres. Question lies on whom to be put on the sacrificial tomb when the time comes. Would the survival of the party be in conflict with the campaign, risking the exposure of the vulnerable side of the party, ultimately putting China’s control on the line?
Today, China has never been more peaceful, secure, stable, richer and many more that accounts the success tied with contribution of CCP. Some would even go to the extent and state that authoritarian regime has made this possible in China. Yet, if this is so, China would have succeeded years ago. Authoritarianism has nothing to do with China’s success. Rather, CCP’s neutral stance in allocating resources among social and political groups that has boost China’s rapid economy (Yang, 2011). So, what role does authoritarian play in China’s development? In my view, authoritarian approach has been used as a tool to push forward controversial policies such as the one child policy to accelerate growth or better town planning such as rellocation of residents to make way for urban development. In the past, Deng has transformed the legitimacy of CCP to link with economy performance. Thus, explains many of the policies to ensure highest possible economic output. However, as economic growth slows down, the public has started questioning the CCP’s competence to continue to rule China. In recent years, Xi Jinping has emphasized on the unity of the party, maintaining harmony in the society. Yet, the media is being repressed even further. More journalist being imprisoned. Internet crackdown has been rampant as well. The effectiveness of these movements to enable CCP maintaining in control are very debatable, especially among the younger generations that have been exposed to the outside world.
Would democracy be better in place in current China? I believe so. Looking at Wukan’s village election phenomenon has proved it possible. Eventhough it was a rough start in Wukan, having elected some officials that are also corrupted, given that corruption was the first driving force for Wukan’s strong presistence in demanding for a democratic system for their village. It was quickly weeded out, as seen in the recent election in Wukan. This would have assisted Xi in his anti-corruption movement. What I can see as the biggest problem in current China is actually the legitimacy of CCP. What is the basis of CCP’s legitimacy? Linking economy performance with legitimacy is too rigid as there are so many other aspects needed to be taken into consideration. The government is in place to serve the people and not to rule them. Enacting democratic reforms does not necessarily mean to giving up on control. One good example would be Singapore’s PAP, which was often cited as a authoritarian democratic country. Since independence, PAP had been in rule till today. Yet, Singapore’s government is considered top in many aspects among the world especially in zero tolerance in corruption. I believe that CCP would be able to do so as well. On one hand, corruption could be completely eradicated, which is the main motive of any anti-corruption campaign; one the other hand, CCP could further legitimate its power, at the same time provide accountability of the party cadres. In other words, CCP would be giving up absolute power to be able to retain its control. In addition to that, transparency of CCP would provide reassurance that CCP is and has always been in line with the public’s interest. Yet, some would argue that modern democracy has it demerits as well, seeing that the recent election in the United States proved that one does not need experience in the political field to be in govern, which essentially would never happen in China where positions are promoted internally through careful evaluation. What I am suggesting essentially is that that CCP should enact some degree of democratic reforms in order for China to continue develop further and that there should be a fine line between political party and the government body.
I realize that the CCP should have eradicated corruption at its root, the start of rapid development during Deng’s era even at the expense of economic growth. Failing to do so showed a chained effect of rampant corruption around China that has threatened even more of CCP’s ruling as public losing faith in it.
Reference:
Kwong, (2013). Why China’s Corruption Won’t Stop. [online] The Nation. Available at: https://www.thenation.com/article/why-chinas-corruption-wont-stop/ [Accessed 10 Dec. 2016].
Yu, Z. (2010). Demographic Dynamics and Economic Take-Off. Chinese Economy, 44(1), pp.72-90.
Yang, Y. (2011). Authoritarianism not key to China’s economic success | East Asia Forum. [online] East Asia Forum. Available at: http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/11/20/authoritarianism-not-key-to-china-s-economic-success/ [Accessed 15 Dec. 2016].
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