THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS

Question 1

The decentralization of power that has accompanied economic reform has given provincial and local governments a lot more clout in the policy process in China. True or False

Answer 1

True

Question 2

In spite of the economic reforms in China, institutions such as nonparty experts, the media, outside the party apparatus continue to exhibit little to no-voice in the policy making process. True or False

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The current party leadership is a balance between two major coalitions, the “elitists” who give priority to rapid economic growth and investment in China’s major cities, and the “populists” who believe that more attention needs to be paid to the consequences of growth, such as urban-rural inequality and environmental degradation. True or False

Answer 3

True

Question 4

As China has moved in the direction of a capitalist, free market economy, it no longer proclaims it is following communist ideology and its goal is to create a socialist China. True or False

Answer 4

False

Question 5

In the CCP’s view this is superior to democracy in capitalist countries where wealthy individuals and corporations dominate politics and policy-making despite multiparty politics. True or False

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Although power in China is highly concentrated in the hands of the top Communist Party leaders, representation and participation do play important, if limited, roles in China’s political system. True or False

Answer 6

True

Question 7

On paper, the National People’s Congress is assigned a significant amount of powers, but the fact remains that such powers can only be implemented with the permission of the Communist Party. True or False

Answer 7

True

Question 8

The chair of the National People’s Congress does not have to be a member of the CCP. True or False

Answer 8

False

Question 9

Deputies of the National People’s Congress are full-time legislators, planning and directing the agenda when they meet again. True or False

Answer 9

False

Question 10

The NPC never deals with sensitive political issues with the CCP monitoring the election process to assure that only acceptable members are allowed into that body. True or False

Answer 10

True

Question 11

As economics has replaced ideology as the main motivation of China’s leaders, the NPC has become more independent and is serving as a way to check executive power. True or False

Answer 11

False

Question 12

In spite of the fact that China has adopted a free-market economy, it still refuses to allow private business owners and entrepreneurs to join the CCP. True or False

Answer 12

False

Question 13

In the two most powerful political institutions in China, the Politburo and the Standing Committee, women represent about 30 percent of the members. True or False

Answer 13

False

Question 14

Even though many Chinese believe that communist ideology is irrelevant to their lives and the nation’s future, being a party member still provides unparalleled access to influence and resources. True or False

Answer 14

True

Question 15

New political parties are allowed to form in communist China by simply registering with the proper authorities. True or False

Answer 15

False

Question 16

Guanxi: a) giving a bribe to an official for a favor, b) a special soup prepared for CCP leaders, c) connections or relationships between individuals, d) being accepted into the CCP hierarchy.

Answer 16

c) connections or relationships between individuals

Question 17

The following refers to China’s policy-making system as: a) a simple top-down decision-making structure, b) fragmented authoritarianism, c) a pluralistic model, d) horizontally formulated.

Answer 17

a) a simple top-down decision-making structure

Question 18

China’s political system is officially referred to as: a) party democracy, b) Communist democracy, c) socialist democracy, d) centralized democracy.

Answer 18

c) socialist democracy

Question 19

The constitution of China grants the following the power to enact and amend the country’s laws, approve and monitor the state budget, and declare and end war: a) the central committee, b) the Politburo, c) the Chinese Communist Party, d) the National People’s Congress.

Answer 19

d) the National People’s Congress

Question 20

Who makes up the largest contingent of deputies in the National People’s Congress? a) workers and farmers, b) intellectuals and professionals, c) government and party cadres, d) military.

Answer 20

c) government and party cadres

Question 21

What issue was raised in 2002 at the NPC meeting and finally passed in 2007, with strident debates about its viability in a Communist system? a) protection for gay and lesbian rights, b) allowing religious organizations to join the CCP, c) a property rights law, d) some level of freedom of the press.

Answer 21

c) a property rights law

Question 22

What is meant that legislatures in communist party-states are often called “rubber stamps?” a) They are flexible, like a rubber band, adapting to changes in society and when necessary, b) They automatically and without question approve party policies, c) They apply stamps with rubber glue to the policy initiatives that are implemented, d) They enjoy the confidence of the people in formulating public policy.

Answer 22

b) They automatically and without question approve party policies

Question 23

About how many members currently comprise the Chinese Communist Party out of a population of 1.3 billion people? a) 25 million, b) 36 million, c) 54 million, d) 80 million.

Answer 23

d) 80 million

Question 24

What percent of CCP membership is comprised of women? a) 10%, b) 13%, c) 16%, d) 21%

Answer 24

a) 10%

Question 25

What is the primary function of the non-communist parties of China? a) to offer an alternative to communist rule, b) to challenge policies that are detrimental to their constituents, c) to offer advice and generate support to the communist party, d) to build a strong opposition base for a future truly democratic system in China.

Answer 25

c) to offer advice and generate support to the communist part

Question 26

How many non-Communist political parties are allowed to exist in China today? a) 5, b) 8, c) 13, d) 16

Answer 26

b) 8

Question 27

What happened to a group of former Tiananmen Square protesters that tried to form and register a new China Democratic Party in 1998? a) their party was legally acknowledged and allowed to organize and quickly added a large membership, b) they attempted to form a party that the people of China ignored and it quickly died, c) they were arrested, given stiff prison sentences, and the party banned, d) the party was allowed to function legally and became popular in some of the major cities only with a small constituency.

Answer 27

c) they were arrested, given stiff prison sentences, and the party banned

Question 28

What are some of the powers of the National People’s Congress?
a) It has the power to elect and recall the __________ and the _____ __________ of the PRC,
b) the ______ of the Central Military Commission,
c) the head of China’s ________ ______,
d) the Procurator ________,
e) and has final approval over the selection of the premier and members of the
______ ________.

Answer 28

a) president, vice president, b) chair, c) Supreme Court, d) General, State Council

Question 29

The National People’s Congress:

a) is a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ legislature with nearly \_\_\_\_\_ members (called “deputies”) 
b) who meet only for about \_\_\_\_ weeks every March.

Answer 29

a) unicameral, 3,000

b) two

Question 30

Joining the Communist Party is a time-consuming process that can last as long as two years and involves:

a) a lengthy \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 
b) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 
c) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 
d) a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ check, 
e) and a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ period.

Answer 30

a) application
b) interviews
c) references
d) background
e) probation