class structure for democracy Flashcards
INTRO
Class structure analysis has always been a very important issue in New China. In the early years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the five-star design of the Chinese national flag was chosen to represent the basic configuration of the class structure at the time, namely the great unity of all people around the Communist Party denoted by the big star, with the four surrounding small stars representing the working class, the peasant class, the urban petty bourgeoisie class, and the national bourgeoisie class respectively.After the completion of socialist transformation, some social classes and strata gradually disappeared, and the class structure simplified
In the early period of reform and opening-up, [Lu, Xueyi (2003]
In the early period of reform and opening-up, the class structure of “TWO CLASS AND ONE STRATUM” was formed, namely, the (JIEJI) working class, the peasant class, and the (JIECENG) intellectual stratum, as argued by Lu, Xueyi (2003). The egalitarianism that underpinned the planned economy diminished and the disparities between different social groups enlarged enormously.
Inequality within the classes will hinder democratisation…. [Edward N. Muller 1987]
In the government-led economic reform process, the central and local governor’s role has been crucial. In the process of the restructuring and privatization of SOEs and COEs, a large amount of state capital has been transferred into the hands of officials and governors or their relatives and families through informal and unregulated channels.High-level state officials in China have seized a large number of economic benefits by virtue of their political power and organizational resources and thus their leadership has extended from the Party-State administrative sphere to the economic sphere. Many offspring and relatives of these high-level state officials have become monopoly tycoons in industry. Furthermore, worsening income inequality makes the rich seek state protection more because extreme inequality makes the working class “susceptible to the appeals of revolutionary socialism, which will inhibit the development of a broad pro-democratic coalition of the working class and middle class.” as noted by Edward N. Muller.
Edward N. Muller 1997.
Furthermore, worsening income inequality makes the rich seek state protection more because extreme inequality makes the working class “susceptible to the appeals of revolutionary socialism, which will inhibit the development of a broad pro-democratic coalition of the working class and middle class.” as noted by Edward N. Muller.
the working class becomes an economically disadvantageous social class
According to communist ideology, the working class is the leading force in the society. In reality, the working class becomes an economically disadvantageous social class under tight control of the CCP. It has been a victim of China's economic reform. Because of economic reconstruction, workers are the first to be laid off, the first to suffer skyrocketing prices and a collapsing social welfare system, and are sure to be first hit if the Chinese stock market fails. The working class is no longer a united force in society, moreover. The Labor Union is under the administration of the party and does not have an independent role in the state. The 400 million migrant workers do not have direct connection to the official labor union, and they do not have clear channels to express their voices or protect their rights. To a certain extent they are alienated from the work- ing class and the whole society.3
intellectuals were not trusted by the CCP
Even though there is an improvement in the social status of intellectuals (zhishi fenzi), this does not translate to democracy. Intellectuals, cultural elites and technological experts experienced uncertain circumstances and a fluctuating status after 1949. In the 1950s, intellectuals were not trusted by the CCP and they were restricted in terms of participation in political and party work. Since the economic reforms, however, this situation has changed.
The affluent in China is unlikely to champion democracy because of CCP’s strategic co-optation of them into “NEW SOCIAL STRATU
Under economic liberalization, private business owners were freed from their past socio-political status and were referred to in the Party’s official discourse as a “new social stratum” (xin shehui jieceng)
The appointment of people with business success into the Communist Party’s key grassroots leadership posts marks a trend in political rise of entrepreneurial VPS in the rural political scene. The journey to political power of individual members of the new economic elite is shaped by the disparate nature of their private businesses and practices as argued by Yan Xiao Jun (2012). The motivations for engaging in politics remains as economic interest, espcially for entrepreneurial elites whose business relies heavily on local resources, or those who collaborate in joint developmental projects with local authorities. becoming the key leader in the CCP’s village organization almost guarantees potential economic gains and business convenience.
Yan Xiao Jun (2012)
The journey to political power of individual members of the new economic elite is shaped by the disparate nature of their private businesses and practices
SOCIAL FORCE MOBILISATION THEORY OF DEMOCRATISATION, The state plays a direct role in fostering capitalist and professional classes that operate in tandem with the state.
The social-force mobilization theory of democratization sug- gests that economic development cannot directly lead to democ- racy. However, scholars in this school of thought disagree on which social group is a driving force of democracy. S
Barrington Moore
“NO BOURGEOIS, NO DEMOCRACY”
Teresa Wright
professionals are part of the minority that sits at the upper level of China’s highly polarized socioeconomic structure, they have had little cause to support the political empowerment of the masses”.
These groups support the authoritarian government as they have benefited most from China’s economic surge. These business people and professionals also have close ties to local governments and are dependent on the state for their material prosperity
The Labour Union isolated, working class disunited
The working class is no longer a united force in society, moreover. The Labor Union is under the administration of the party and does not have an independent role in the state. The 400 million migrant workers do not have direct connection to the official labor union, and they do not have clear channels to express their voices or protect their rights. To a certain extent they are alienated from the work- ing class and the whole society
