Search for systematic generalisations and patterns across countries

Transcription

1 Politics 211 Notes Politics 211 Lecture 1 How should we begin to think about Chinese politics? What is theory and why does it matter? Theory can be descriptive Theory here about how and why things happened? o Explanatory theory o Not about left vs. right What is Comparative Politics? Search for systematic generalisations and patterns across countries The influence of Area Studies From anthropological or ethnographical perspectives How do you define the measure and the terms for comparison? Apples vs. oranges Theorising China on its own terms Dreyer s Chronological Perspective (ethnographical perspective) Generational Approach: leadership groups (Mao, Deng, etc.) Strategic Interactionism: China came to be what it is through interaction through external forces China is China is China : History, Culture and Continuities. China an island, resistant to change After the Cultural Revolution Factional models of politics: oil faction The Political-Cultural Approach: Bureaucratic and Palace Politics: Mao and Gang of Four Political and Economic Regression (i.e. Backward Toward Revolution): as economy grows, politics goes backwards

2 After Mao (1976-present) Pluralist models of politics The adaptability of Chinese communism Fragmented Authoritarianism Comparative Theory: 3 Tests Premise No. 1: The Chinese State is Strong, while Chinese Society is Relatively Weak What is the state? How autonomous or separate is it from society? Picture of 2 Chinas: stable/orderly vs. decrepit/dysfunctional Premise No. 2: Communism is Irrelevant Maoist variant premised on Soviet model of communism Since 1978, adopted market based economic model Farewell to Revolution? The persistence of Marxist-Leninist structures and ideas in today s China Premise No. 3: China is on a Trajectory toward Democracy Transitology and linear models of regime change How durable is authoritarianism in China? China may be changing, but what will become of it? What type of political system does China have? Is China still a revolutionary state? How would we know? The Classification of Crude Regime Types Regime/institutional types: Democracy Full political, social, economic pluralism Institutionalised protection for minorities, individual rights, values and rule of law Extensive but voluntary participation in autonomous civil society Political leaders chosen in open, free and fair elections

3 Totalitarianism No significant pluralism, no toleration of opposition Elaborate & guiding ideology articulating utopian vision Extensive mobilisation in mandatory regime created organisations Leadership with no defined limits on power and is impenetrable to outsiders Authoritarianism Limited, but not responsible pluralism Official party has de jure and de facto power No elaborate/guiding ideology, but with distinctive mentalities Without extensive mobilisation except at some points in their development A leader or group exercises exclusive power with formally ill-defined limits but actually quite predictable ones Sultanism Intensely arbitrary leadership styles Economic and social pluralism subject to despotic intervention Private institutions subject to whims of leader No rule of law Extensive use of clientelism/nepotism used to reinforce political power Arbitrary manipulation of ideology and symbols Manipulation or targeting of select groups as designated by leadership Post-totalitarianism Limited, not responsible social and economic pluralism Almost no political pluralism Guiding ideology still exists, but faith in it is weakened Pervasive malaise/loss of interest in state mandated mobilisation Privatisation of individual ideas/values accepted as fact Checks on party leadership via internal democracy Routinization of succession mechanisms Growing concern for personal security of elites

4 Politics 211 Lecture 2 Critical Review Essay 3 readings on CECIL Statement on what unites those works o 2 sentences 1 sentence on how each reading addresses these concerns Critical thinking from group o 2 sentences 1. Synthesis 2. Concise summary 3. Critical thinking/problem solving 4. Written communication Write introduction last State what the question is and give arguments (your two cents on the state of the field) Introduction sets up purposes behind the paper Road map for paper/sign post The world is full of lazy people Use headings and sub-headings What a conclusion should do is answer the so what question Reiterate a sense of purpose Policy implications Normative/moral implications

5 Ideological and Institutional Legacies Political Development in China, Traditionalism in the study of China s politics: o Imperial collapse and Republican experiment o Chinese Revolution Revisited: Maoism and the Totalitarian Period Patterns in Pre-1949 Chinese History Cyclical waves of unity and disunity among peoples occupying what is now mainland China, mostly in the Yangtze Basin Sinocization or making Chinese of foreigners, even conquering powers o Mongols Entrenchment of ideological and moral code for social order Secret Societies Factionalism in political leadership Strong and not totally unjustified suspicion of foreign influence Qing (Manchu) Dynasty Ming were last Han dynasty to rule China Qing ( ) were ethnically Manchus from northeast Retained Ming state and Confucian customs, but enforced own cultural norms to leave impression on mainstream Chinese culture Succeeded in bringing modern Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibet and Xinjiang under Chinese influence United ethnically and linguistically different people under one 19 th century collision with Western modernity, colonial expansion Christianity (not malleable), traders Opium Wars Conflict in the imperial house between those who wanted to resist China at whatever the cost and those who wanted contact with foreigners at whatever the cost Boxer Rebels Treaty of Nanjing left HK under British control for 99 years Qing Collapse Often understood as failure of China to withstand foreign attempts at colonization Attacks on native rebels undermined the credibility of Qing Triangle of rebels, foreigners and the dynasty led to intrigue at the court Emperor Guangxu favoured hard-line against rebels Empress Cixi sympathetic to rebels in fight against occupation Cixi s palace coup & failure

6 Republican China Dissatisfaction with Qing inability to deal with foreign presence and failure of imperial military reforms bread new, nationalist sentiment Gradual weakening of the capacity of imperial govt in some areas led to rise of local warlordism Strong dissent against imperial regime within military Sun Yat Sen Led string of coup attempts against Qing beginning in 1895 Formulated Republican ideology 3 Principles of the People nationalism, democracy and people s livelihood Popular among diasporas recognised as national hero in both Republican and CCP circles Establishment of ROC Puyi abdicated after Wucheng Uprising Sun elected as leader of China Early Instability in the Republic Yuan Shikai, Qing imperial minister, consented to new govt Yuan forced the capital to move back to Beijing Yuan became 2 nd President Unilateral revision of new constitution, vesting power in himself Alleged assassination of political enemies Secured foreign loan to finance personal army Brokered large land deal without consulting Parliament Created split between monarchists in Progressive party, who supported Yuan and the old Qing regime, and the KMT, which did not China during WWI Still a vassal to foreign powers Govt split between supporters of the Allies (Anhui clique) and those who wanted to stay neutral (Zhili clique) Premier Duan Qiuri favoured alliance with Britain His sudden dismissal led Shadow govt formed by Sun at Guangzhou Military govt to fight for re-instatement of constitutionalism of Republic Was itself split over concentration of power in Sun s hands