The relationship between the people and the Chinese government is, to say the least, ambivalent. The country's wealthiest citizens scurry to obtain foreign passports as a hedge against future uncertainty. As evidenced by populist outrage after the Wenzhou train disaster, the little guy rails against bureaucratic corruption, particularly when his interests are affected. The number of small-scale protests (mostly local disputes) has steadily climbed; according to official statistics -- surely conservative -- more than 100,000 "public disorder events" occur each year. Rampant land seizures at fire-sale costs represent abuse of eminent domain on a massive scale. The dramatic restructure of state industries has dislocated many urban workers, stripping them of the dignity provided by a job. And the internet, particularly micro-blogs, provides further grist for the mill -- concerns about government impartially and favoritism have been digitally fanned. Bureaucrats who protect unsavory types or lead fat-cat lifestyles disgust the public.
And yet, the Party is in firm control and will not lose its grip any time soon. First, the government has become ruthlessly efficient in nipping dissent in the bud. Every housing complex pays off one or two under-employed residents to snoop on neighbors and report suspicious goings on to authorities. (These people are usually unassuming and older, and belie impressions of China as Orwellian. They also handle complaints about uncivil behavior, including overflowing trash, construction dust and paint fumes.) According to foreign estimates, over $100 billion is spent every year maintaining public order, using both low- and high-tech means. The Ministry of State Security employs at least 100,000 individuals and has deployed sophisticated algorithms to monitor -- and censor -- sensitive on-line chats, BBS forums and micro-blogs.
Second, the West vastly underestimates of the power of the Communist Party as perhaps the strongest, most enduring "brand" in China. Why is Mao Zedong, the father of "New China," still idolized by the majority of the population despite colossal mistakes during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution? Because he, under the banner of the Party, "liberated" China from foreign invasion and civil war, and unified the country. Propaganda organs proclaim Mao's actions were "seventy percent positive and thirty percent negative." Most agree. Mao still undergirds Party's legitimacy -- to wit, Chongqing Party Secretary Bo Xilai's 2011 revival of revolutionary "red songs."
The prosperity covenant. When Deng Xiaoping rose to power, the Communists rejected cultish hagiography in favor of future focus. Deng was a quintessentially Chinese pragmatist; his maxims about "black or white cats" and "crossing rivers by feeling stones" resonate deeply. He imposed a scientific economic model -- central management of key resources, liberalization of non-strategic industries, gradual urbanization, solicitation of foreign investment, and mercantilist foreign policy -- that is still effective. Despite the naysayers, "socialism with Chinese characteristics" continues to work. According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development, between 1978 and 2008, per capita income increased six times and the number of rural residents living in absolute poverty -- i.e. on less than $1.50 per day -- decreased from 260 million to 16 million. China is creating a middle class that will reshape 21st century industry and commerce. The Communist Party, despite its heavy hand, has street cred. Unless growth collapses, citizens will grudgingly support national leaders.
Stability is sublime. Third, the Chinese people crave order -- stability is the platform on which progress is built. Confucian society is patriarchic, at peace with top-down compliance. The son/subject does not exist independent of his obligations to father/ruler. Democracy in China is tantamount to responsiveness, not representation. Individual rights are abstractions, unless linked to immediate economic or family interests. There were reports of "walking protests" in response to the Arab Spring, but the government effortlessly squelched disturbances. People do not feel safe -- China is not yet "harmonious," and the social safety net is in tatters -- but there is no Plan B. The foundation of Party legitimacy remains the masses' faith in their mandarins' ability to -- somehow, someway -- guide China's long march to prosperity. Father knows best, even if he sometimes makes mistakes.
Into the future: The Singapore model? What is the future of China's governance? Reform will come from within the Party and it is conceivable that Singapore's Confucian, self-monitoring model of administration transplanting itself in China. Experimentation would start in major cities. Debugged, the model could replicate itself across smaller urban areas. Does anyone know how to get from here to there? No, but Singapore's passion for technocratic competence, bottom-line accountability, and meritocratic advancement are compatible with the Party's underlying pragmatism. And the Chinese are stunningly efficient at adopting preexisting models. Of course, there are many hurdles. Official pay must rise before corruption can be rooted out; an interconnected web of interests between local, provincial and national officials must be shredded; a win-win relationship between urban and rural areas must be forged. But the future of China's political system will not be made in America or Europe.
And in terms of outsourcing, I don't see that as an issue that the left and the right have a clear divide. Many on the left are in favor of a global economy. Americans should adjust themselves to the global economy rather than resisting it. Americans should accept the reality that these jobs are gone to other parts of the world, and Americans just have to find a way to make a living here. Perhaps they could develop multicultural awareness to help them gain employment.
Another good example of how the Party loves its people was on CTV News the other night. The tobacco industry in China has now focused its attention on school children, telling them how smoking can improve their talents, and wouldn't you know it, the industry is owned and operated by the Chinese Communist Party.
The Party is attempting the genocide of tens of millions of innocent Falun Gong.
One doctor just left China confessing that he had performed more than one thousand cornea removal operations on living donors, including children.
How can anyone with half a heart even think of doing business with a monster like this ?
The Communist Party controls every business in Mainland China, no exceptions. Wake up World.
Tobacco industries everywhere sell a terrible product. It's more of a cultural and consumer issue, and just because an industry is state owned does not mean it's some sort of state instrument. The state owns a lot of things, most of which run themselves. There's no official campaign to give kids cancer...what would be the point?
The Falun Gong is a cult. They don't even believe in modern medicine, and they advocate for rebellion. How does America treat its cults? You should ask the Branch Davidians. If you find any.
I'm not even going to bother addressing rumors of some random unquoted doctor.
How can anyone with half a brain even believe any of this? China is one of our biggest trading partners and an indispensable part of our future. Sinophobia gets the world nowhere.
Some facts on tobacco:
"Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film and Television ordered film and TV studios to restrict smoking scenes and to ban shots showing tobacco brands or minors in scenes while others are smoking.
In March 2011, a revised regulation on health management in public places issued by the Ministry of Health said smoking would be banned in enclosed public locations. That ban took effect in May 2011.
CCP receives full credit for this from the Chinese people.
Hence, the strong position and popularity of the Communist Party in China.
Socialism, combined with small-to-medium business ownership and strong social net is the the best, and only answer.
Regardless of the number of parties jockeying for power.
And certainly, American demopublican oligarchy system provides no rational model for China.
Or anyone else for that matter.
The brutal Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has murdered eighty million of its own people since it took power in 1949 and since 1999 has been attempting the genocide of the tens of millions of innocent Falun Gong practitioners.
The media and the governments of the Western World have chosen to turn their backs on the plight of the good people of Mainland China in return for high dividends, which has backfired, as bad deeds usually do.
Especially in the USA, where Americans seem to have forgotten how tens of thousands of their children died in Vietnam fighting the spread of Communism. Americans, as well as Canadians, used to cherish human rights. What happened ?
The Chinese Communist Party is on its way out. It preaches godlessness and thrives on corruption.
Just my understanding, thank you.
It's just sad to see you bring up Vietnam like our neo-colonial adventures there did any good. Newsflash: Vietnam did become Communist, and they're doing just fine economically these days following the Chinese model. Sure beats the corrupt and theocratic South Vietnamese government we supported.
Thanks for an insightful article!
This essay mirrors my own experience as an American in China with a background in Chinese history and Philosophy.
China has 5000+ years of experience and has learned to absorb good ideas into the culture while rejecting things that their experience shows will not work.
Because most Americans live withing 100 miles of where they were born, and actively resist learning anything that may challenge their superstitions, Americans are clueless about China.
The reality that those of us that have actually lived in China know, is the 5000 year culture is alive and well in China.
Mao tried several unsuccessful things but in the end the culture survived and thrived.
You should read 1984 again. That is exactly Orwellian. You are pretty much exactly describing the character of the informer Mr Charrington. It is his age and unassuming nature that leads Winston to trust him and be betrayed.
Orwell knew the truth of totalitarianism. In fact he even knew the real reason the CCP will never relinquish power, a reason you forgot to mention in your article. It is the secret slogan of Big Brother, and also the CCP.
God is Power.