The History and Logic of Modern Chinese Politics

This book explores the history and development of modern Chinese politics. Written by Dr. Mingsheng Wang, a renowned Chinese political scientist, it presents a truly groundbreaking and thought-provoking study of the sociopolitical forces behind China’s gradual emergence as a new global power in the 20th century and its rapid rise as the world’s second-largest economy over the past 40 years. The author’s argument, illuminated by comparative theoretical analyses based on meticulously detailed empirical research, functions as a lens through which readers can better understand China’s remarkable accomplishments as well as consider broader issues that have perplexed many: Is there a China Path to sociopolitical progress? What is “socialism with Chinese characteristics”? Can China redefine its niche and maintain its growing momentum in an increasingly multilateral world? And finally, what lessons can we draw from China’s continuing progress in the post-COVID era? As the author argues eloquently and with persuasive evidence, China’s ongoing progress has followed neither the mode of Russian-style socialism nor that of Western prototypical capitalism. Rather, it represents a distinctively different model of progress and a continuous search for a viable alternative route to modernity that is permeated with Chinese realities. By identifying an alternative system described as the “China Path,” the author demonstrates convincingly that there exist ample options for different types of modernity and that economic growth means not only industrialization, but also the development of political democratization and the realization of the rule of law. In this sense, this book significantly enriches our understanding of modern China. The 33 carefully selected essays in the anthology provide a much-needed opportunity for scholars, policy makers and all interested readers to obtain an insider’s view of the history and prospect of China’s political development. Preface and Acknowledgments (Translator) Introduction Contents Author and Translator About the Author About the Translator Part I Emerging Trends of Social Thought and Political Development in China 1 Confucian Ethics of Governance and Its Values in Modern Era 1 The Personality of All-Round Virtues1: The Moral Pursuit in Confucian Ethics of Governance 2 Seek Righteousness and Avoid Li (Profit)21: Value Orientation in Confucian Ethics of Governance 3 People-Oriented: Objective Selection in Confucian Ethics of Governance 4 Select and Appoint Talents: A Means to Realize Confucian Ethics of Governance 5 Transcendence of Time and Space: Confucian Ethics of Governance and Its Values in Modern Era References 2 Characteristics of the Spread of Socialist Thought in China Prior to the Russian October Revolution References 3 “Problems versus Ideologies”: Dispute and Emergence of the Sinicization of Marxism in China 1 The Origin of the “Problems versus Ideologies” Dispute and the Requisite Adjustment of Western Theoretical Principles and “Ideologies” to the Current Situation in China 2 The Dispute Concerning “Problems versus Ideologies” and the Emergence of the Sinicization of Marxism in China 3 The Dispute of “Problems versus ‘Ideologies’” and the Exploration by Early Marxists of the Sinicization of Marxism in China. References 4 Two Propositions by Bertrand Russell and Re-examination of the Debate on Socialism in Early 20th Century 1 Two Propositions Proposed by Russell in China in Early 20th Century 2 Main Views and Disagreements of the Two Sides 3 A Reflection on and Re-examination of the Debate on Socialism References Part II Revolutionary Base Areas and Political Development in China 5 Historical Studies of Revolutionary Base Areas in the 1980s 1 Status of Scholarly Research 2 Discussion and Exploration of Several Issues 3 Remaining Problems and Research Fields to Be Broadened References 6 Major Issues in Historical Studies of Revolutionary Base Areas 1 How to Deepen and Highlight the Significance of Historical Studies of Revolutionary Base Areas 2 Mao Zedong and His Strategic Thought on the Establishment of Rural Revolutionary Base Areas 3 Facts and Characteristics of Government Construction in the Revolutionary Base Areas 4 Investigations and Controversies on Several Unique Issues 5 Miscellaneous 7 Establishment of Government Integrity in Anti-Japanese Base Areas in Central China 1 Financial Arenas: Enforcement of Strict Financial Management, Careful Selections of Financial Staff, Evaluation and Incentivization, and Appropriate Raising of Salaries and Benefits 2 Establishing Administrative Programs and Regulations to Prevent and Punish Corruption Committed by Government Staff 3 Dedication to Public Interests: The Improvement of Ideological Education, the Strengthening of Integrity and Self-Discipline of Party Members and Cadres 4 Streamlining Government Management: Improving Efficiency, Eliminating Corruption, and the Saving of All Manners of Resources 5 Encouraging People to Supervise the Party and Using Public Opinions as an Important Means of Maintaining Government Integrity References 8 Supervision and Inspection of Government Integrity in Anti-Japanese Base Areas in Central China 1 Provincial Assembly Supervisory Power 2 Encouraging People to Supervise and Criticize Government 3 Exercising Democratic Supervision by Elections 4 Self-discipline of the Party and Government 5 Outcomes and Significance References 9 Major Issues in the Study of Historical Events in the New Fourth Army 1 The Southern Anhui Incident 2 The Campaign Against the KMT Diehards in Western Region of Tianjin-Pukou Railway 3 Studies on the Operation of Tang Jingyan’s Regiment 4 Mount Tianmu Battles and Other Issues 10 The Historic Experience of CPC’s Establishment of Government Integrity During the Democratic Revolution 1 Ideological Education of the CPC Served as a Fundamental Model for Keeping the Party and Its Government Upright and with Integrity. 2 Senior Cadres Worked Hard and Lived a Simple Life, Serving as a Moral Example for Other Party Cadres and Members. 3 The Party Established a Sound System for the Government and Attached Importance to the Construction of a Legal System for Government Integrity; and It Developed Rules to Follow and Laws to Abide by. 4 The Party Gave Full Play to the Functions of Democratic Supervision, Strengthened the Inspection System, and Encouraged People to Criticize and Supervise Government. 5 Decrees Were Followed by Laws; Laws Were Strictly Observed; Corrupt Officials Were Punished in Accordance with Laws; and Party Cadres Received Severe Punishments for Their Unlawful Acts. There Was No Leniency or Tolerance for Corruption by any Party Members or Cadres. All the Party Members Were Warned. References 11 A Political Analysis of the Model Laborer Movement in Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region 1 The Basic Purpose of the Model Laborer Movement Was to Provide Economic Support for the Government. 2 Political Drive Was a Necessary Condition for Waging the Model Laborer Movement. 3 Organization Was the Key Factor for the Success of the Model Laborer Movement. 4 Legitimacy Was the Political Pursuit of the Model Laborer Movement. References Part III Mao Zedong and Political Development in Contemporary China 12 From Reform to Revolution: A Difficult Choice for Mao Zedong in His Youth References 13 Mao Zedong and Emancipation of the Mind References 14 Political “Disturbances” Caused by Mao Zedong’s Poem “Snow” 1 Mao Zedong Wrote His “Snow” Poem While Liu Yazi Eagerly Added a Companion Poem. 2 Xinmin Evening News First Published the “Snow” Poem. Elites in Chongqing All Praised the Poem. 3 Hack Writers Stirred and Righteous Poets Fought back. 15 The Influence of the Confucian Notion of “Great Harmony” on Mao Zedong’s Design of the Social Model References 16 A Discussion of Mao Zedong’s View on Wealth Distribution Before and After the Great Leap Forward References 17 An Analysis of Mao Zedong’s Design of Goals and Choice in Modernization Policies 1 Mao Zedong’s Reflection on the Goal of Modernization of China 2 Mao Zedong’s Design of Timeline and Means Gradually to Reach the Goal of Modernization of China 3 Mao Zedong’s Choice of Modernization Policies References 18 An Analysis of Mao Zedong’s Approach to “Power Decentralization” Reform 1 Historical Motivation and the Theoretical Pivot Towards “Power Decentralization” Reform 2 The Decision to Reform by Decentralizing Power 3 The Main Characteristics of the Decentralization of Power Reform References 19 Mao Zedong’s Understanding and Evaluation of the Term Mao Zedong Thought References Part IV Political System Reform and Political Participation 20 Development of the Theory of Political Reform and Establishment of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics 1 The Second Generation of the Collective Central Leadership of the CPC, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping at Its Core, Proposed the Concept of Political System Reform and Its Basic Theoretical Framework. 2 The Party’s Third Generation of Collective Central Leadership, with Jiang Zemin at Its Core, Enriched and Developed the Theory of Political Restructuring. 3 The Party Central Committee with Hu Jintao as General Secretary Innovated from Inheritance and Developed Through Innovation, Enhancing the Maturity of the Theory of Political Restructuring. References 21 Retrospect and Prospect: Studies on Political Participation in China Since Reform and Opening-Up in 1978 1 Three Stages of Studies on Political Participation in China Since Reform and Opening-Up in 1978 1.1 The Initial Stage of Studies on Political Participation, 1978–1989 1.2 The Developing Stage of Studies on Political Participation, 1990–2000 1.3 The Flourishing Stage of Studies on Political Participation, 2001–2010 2 Analysis of Studies on China’s Political Participation Between 2001 and 2010 2.1 Statistics on Published Articles and Citations, 2001–2010 2.2 Research Institutions and Influential Scholars with Major Contributions to Studies on Political Participation 3 Domains and Problems in Studies on Political Participation in China 3.1 Definition and Categorization of Political Participation 3.2 The Key Actors in Political Participation Can Be Divided into Three Levels; Namely, a Single Citizen, a Group, or an Organization 3.3 Political Participation from the Perspective of Value 3.4 Democratic Value of Political Participation 4 Institutional Political Participation 4.1 Different Types of Institutional Political Participation 4.2 Characteristics of Institutional Political Participation 4.3 Problems of Institutional Political Participation 5 Non-institutional Political Participation 5.1 Different Types, Process and Characteristics of Non-institutional Political Participation 5.2 Analysis of Causes of Non-institutional Political Participation 5.3 Transformation and Integration of Non-institutional Political Participation 6 Political Participation of Private Entrepreneurs and Migrant Workers 6.1 Political Participation by Private Entrepreneurs 6.2 Political Participation by Migrant Workers 6.3 Internet Political Participation 6.4 Possible Parameters for Political Participation 7 Fields of Study Are Worthy of Attention and Extension in Research on Political Participation in Contemporary China 7.1 We Should Objectively Use Western Theories of Political Participation and Gradually Establish a Theoretical Framework and Methodology for Political Participation Research with Chinese Characteristics. 7.2 We Should Attach Importance to Research on the “Disequilibrium of Political Participation” in China and Explore the Path of Interest Expression for Socially Disadvantaged Groups in China. 7.3 We Should Strengthen the Study of How Rationally to Guide Citizens into Orderly Political Participation and to Prevent the Expansion and Imbalance of Irrational Civic Political Participation. 7.4 We Should Strengthen Research on Efficient Political Participation, Strive to Reduce Its Cost, and Improve the Efficiency of Citizens’ Political Participation. 7.5 We Should Pay Attention to Research on Different Interest Groups and the Influencing Factors, and Promote the Deepening of China’s Research on Political Participation. References 22 A Study on the Political Participation of Chinese Peasants from a Revolutionary Perspective 1 Introduction 2 Political Input 3 Political Participation References 23 Political Participation in Contemporary China: A Perspective of Re-institutionalization 1 Definitions of Political Participation and Political Development 2 The Institutionalization Perspective: Political Institutionalization and “Re-institutionalization” 3 Political Participation in China Today: “Re-institutionalization” and Political Development References 24 Political Competition and Political Consensus with Chinese Characteristics 1 The Rational Combination of Political Competition and Political Consensus Is the Essential Feature of Western Political Development. 2 Political Competition and Consensus in China Should Have Its Distinctive Chinese Characteristics. 3 The Political Competition with Chinese Characteristics Must Be Based on the Political Consensus with Chinese Characteristics. References 25 Political Participation of College Students in Contemporary China: A Comparison Between Online and Offline Models 1 Research Background 2 Research Design 2.1 Political Participation: Definition and Usage of the Concept 2.2 Research Framework and Hypothesis 2.3 Samples and Surveys 3 Research Findings 3.1 Comparison of Behavior Characteristics Between Offline Political Participation and Online Political Participation 3.2 The Influence of Economic and Social Factors on Offline and Online Political Participation 3.3 The Influence of Political Cognition on Offline and Online Political Participation 4 Conclusion and Analysis References 26 Work Unit Management and Community Management: An Analysis of Dual Model of China’s Urban Social Integration 1 Work Unit and Community Systems: A Binary Mode of Social Integration in Contemporary Chinese Cities 2 The Binary Mode of Social Integration Is a Unity of Continuity and Innovation Within the Social Integration System in China’s Cities. 3 The Position and Function of the Work Unit and Community Systems in the Binary Mode of Integration References Part V Theoretical Innovations in Ideology 27 Development of the Guiding Theory and Theoretical Innovations of Communist Party of China References 28 The Interpretive and Investigative Methods of Three Generations of CPC Leaders: Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin 1 Mao Zedong: Following Marxist Method of Seeking Truth from Facts and Opposing Subjectivism 2 Deng Xiaoping: Bringing Order Out of Chaos, Understanding Methodology from the Perspective of the Ideological Line, and Opening Up a New Realm of Marxist Methodology 3 Jiang Zemin: Revolving Around the Basic Principles of “One Center, Three Focuses” and Opening Up a New Marxist Methodology in the Twenty-First Century References 29 The China Path: A Must for Realizing the Chinese Dream 1 Accurately Understanding the Profound Implications of the Chinese Dream and Its Value Orientation 2 Rejecting Both the Rigid Closed-Door Policy and Any Attempt to Abandon Socialism and Take an Erroneous Path 3 Keeping to the China Path Is an Inevitable Choice for Realizing the Chinese Dream. References 30 Economic Globalization and Cultivation of Chinese National Spirit 1 The Cultivation of the National Spirit Is the Necessary Choice for Promoting a Well-Off Chinese Society in an All-Around Way in the Economically Globalized World. It Is Also a Requirement for Realizing the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation with Great Improvement in Overall National Strength. 2 The Cultivation of the National Spirit Is Not Only the Fundamental Task of Constructing Socialist Culture, but Also a Great Story of the Era of Globalization. 3 The Promotion and Cultivation of National Spirit in Our Economically Globalized Age Requires Up-to-Date and Innovative Approaches as Well as Taking an International Perspective. It Must Also Deal with the Relationship Between National Culture and World Culture, Between Tradition and Modernity, and Between Conservation and Innovation. References 31 Deng Xiaoping and the Development of Socialist Market Economic Theory 1 Which Road to Take 2 An Earth-Shaking Transformation 3 The Backbone of Reform 4 Stabilization of the Situation References 32 Effective Improvement of Ideological Leadership in Higher Education 1 Problems of Ideological Education at Colleges 2 Effective Improvement of Ideological Leadership in Higher Education at NJU 3 Experience on Promoting Ideological Leadership of the NJU Party Committee 33 The Innovative Role of the Internet in Ideological and Political Education of College Students 1 New Opportunities and Challenges for Ideological and Political Education in the Internet Age 2 Eliminating Negative Influences and Promoting Ideological Education Through the Internet 3 To Promote Ideological Education Through the Internet: A Long-Term and Arduous Task