China's One-Party System and Economic Success
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Questions and Answers

What narrative about societal development was taught to Eric Li during his upbringing?

  • All societies will eventually reach communism. (correct)
  • Capitalism is the ultimate form of government.
  • Societies progress through distinct, non-linear stages.
  • Traditional societies are superior to modern societies.

    • What was Eric Li's response to the meta-narrative he learned during his youth?

  • He wrote extensively about its benefits.
  • He became critical of it and disillusioned. (correct)
  • He sought to promote it internationally.
  • He embraced it wholeheartedly.

    • Which stage does the described progression of societies NOT include?

  • Capitalism
  • Anarchy (correct)
  • Communism
  • Feudalism

    • What does the second narrative Eric Li mentions emphasize about individuals in society?

    <p>Rational individuals inherently seek the vote. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Eric characterize the process towards achieving the ideal societal state described in the narratives?

    <p>There is struggle between good and evil. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the cultural context of Eric Li’s birth?

    <p>During the Cultural Revolution (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the narratives Eric references suggest about the nature of governance?

    <p>Democracy and rational individuals ensure good governance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the speaker describe the success of the meta-narrative he grew up with?

    <p>It became part of people's beliefs on a large scale. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the highest rank achievable before entering high officialdom?

    <p>fuju (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percent of Chinese Generation Y is optimistic about their country's future according to recent polls?

    <p>93% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many fuke and ke level positions were there in 2012?

    <p>900,000 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is claimed to be the fundamental driver of promotions in the system?

    <p>Merit (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a significant social challenge mentioned?

    <p>Population growth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Transparency International rank China in recent years among 170 countries?

    <p>70 to 80 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the average life expectancy in China when the Party took power in 1949?

    <p>41 years (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the predicted economic status of China in the next 10 years?

    <p>It will surpass the U.S. and become the largest economy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author predict will happen to corruption in China?

    <p>It will be curbed but not eliminated. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Pew Research polls, what proportion of people think they are better off than five years ago?

    <p>70% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does patronage play in the promotion system?

    <p>It plays a role but merit is primary. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which country is mentioned as having a lower rank than China in Transparency International's corruption index?

    <p>India (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was China's new president mentioned in the content?

    <p>Xi Jinping (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What common belief do Westerners hold regarding political legitimacy?

    <p>It comes from multi-party elections with universal suffrage. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which former leader's son became China's new president, representing a rare career path?

    <p>Xi Jinping (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant change did China undergo in 30 years as described in the content?

    <p>Rise to the second-largest economy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the number of democracies change from 1970 to 2010 according to Freedom House?

    <p>It increased from 45 to 115. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three defining characteristics of China's one-party system according to the content?

    <p>Adaptability, meritocracy, and legitimacy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Party's Organization Department function as?

    <p>A giant human resource engine. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following assumptions about a one-party state is considered incorrect in the content?

    <p>It can self-correct. (A), It promotes upward mobility. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the historical significance of the reforms initiated by Jiang Zemin?

    <p>He opened up Party membership to private businesspeople. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Chinese Communist Party address the issue of prolonged rule as seen in Mao's era?

    <p>By implementing term limits and a mandatory retirement age. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement reflects the economic condition of China over the last three decades?

    <p>Eighty percent of global poverty alleviation took place in China. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What common misconception do political scientists typically hold about one-party states?

    <p>They are likely to fail due to lack of democracy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'princelings' refer to in the context of China's political elite?

    <p>Leaders born into privilege and power. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How has the Chinese Communist Party approached economic and political reform?

    <p>By continuously implementing reforms in both sectors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been a notable outcome of the Party's meritocratic structure?

    <p>A diverse range of backgrounds among leaders. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What misconception do people often have regarding political reforms in China?

    <p>They have never occurred or are non-existent. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    China's One-Party System and Economic Success

    • Speaker, Eric X. Li, born in Shanghai during the Cultural Revolution, reflects on contrasting narratives of societal progress:
      • Marxist narrative (socialism): Linear progression toward communism, struggle between good (socialism) and evil (capitalism).
      • Western narrative (democracy): Linear progression toward democracy, atomized individuals, struggle between good (democracy) and evil (non-democracies).

    The Failure of Universal Narratives

    • Both narratives claimed universal applicability, but failed to account for diverse paths to development.
    • Modern China's success challenges these linear models.

    China's Economic Transformation

    • China transitioned from a poor agricultural nation to the world's second-largest economy in 30 years.
    • 650 million people lifted out of poverty.
    • This achievement contrasts with claims about the limitations of one-party systems.

    Critiques of Assumptions About One-Party Systems

    • Assumption 1: Operational rigidity:
      • China's one-party system demonstrated adaptability through policy shifts (e.g., land collectivization, market reforms).
      • Institutionalised self-correction mechanisms, such as term limits, exist.
    • Assumption 2: Political closure:
      • China's meritocratic system, particularly the Organization Department, emphasizes upward mobility based on performance rather than privilege, and
      • significant number of officials with ordinary backgrounds rose.
    • Assumption 3: Moral illegitimacy:
      • China's legitimacy stems from demonstrable progress (e.g., economic growth, improved living standards, high public satisfaction).
      • Compared to the performance of many Western democracies, China has demonstrated notable success despite its lack of elections,

    China's Political System and Reforms

    • Organization Department: A key institution that functions as a giant human resource engine.
      • It operates a rotating pyramid system with civil service, state-owned enterprises, and social organizations.
      • Cadres move through various ranks (keyuan, fuke, ke, fuchu, chu, etc.) based on performance.
      • China's system is highly competitive, with a small percentage of officials from privileged backgrounds.
    • Political reform in China: Ongoing and fundamental; every aspect of Chinese society's governance has changed significantly from 30, 20, even 10 years ago.
    • Corruption: While a problem, corruption is not solely a one-party issue; also prevalent in other contexts.
      • China's ranking on transparency indices demonstrates relative progress.

    China's Future

    • Speaker predicts that China will surpass the U.S. as the world's largest economy within ten years.
    • Continued growth, curbing of corruption, and sustained one-party rule are anticipated.

    Criticisms of Western Democracy

    • Critiques focus on the negative aspects of Western political systems such as dysfunctionality and growing legitimacy concerns, especially in contrast to China's achievements.
    • Speaker emphasizes the importance of introspection and internal reforms in Western democracies.
    • The presentation concludes with a message about the limitations of modern narratives

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    Description

    Explore Eric X. Li's insights into China's unique path to economic transformation within a one-party system. This quiz examines contrasting narratives of progress and critiques universal development models. Delve into China's remarkable achievements and the implications for global economic discourse.

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