Comments on: Does the Central Government Run China? http://cupofcha.com/2008/04/30/does-the-central-government-run-china.html This is China Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:33:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: cathy http://cupofcha.com/2008/04/30/does-the-central-government-run-china.html#comment-1343 cathy Sun, 04 May 2008 17:35:43 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=262#comment-1343 Depending on the riots the people cause, local govt would use crackdown, central govt don't go into villages to clean up corruptions unless enough villages all band together. And that's what CCP afraid to see when mass have riots and protests, their first reaction is to crackdown, as a knee jerked reaction. There are so many layers of corruption officials in China, the local officials have so much money since the economic booms, they are like local aristocrats back in the old days in Europe. Depending on the riots the people cause, local govt would use crackdown, central govt don’t go into villages to clean up corruptions unless enough villages all band together. And that’s what CCP afraid to see when mass have riots and protests, their first reaction is to crackdown, as a knee jerked reaction. There are so many layers of corruption officials in China, the local officials have so much money since the economic booms, they are like local aristocrats back in the old days in Europe.

]]> By: Shaan http://cupofcha.com/2008/04/30/does-the-central-government-run-china.html#comment-1318 Shaan Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:49:25 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=262#comment-1318 Economic development is the defining indicator of progress in China, but the underlying goal is social stability--to that end, the Chinese government will do whatever it takes to maintain it. I think that is in line with what you're saying, but it's also worth noting that the central government will step in when punishing a local government will maintain stability, or at least cause less destabilization than taking no action would. So in a way, if enough people make a big enough fuss against their city/provincial government, that government will almost certainly take the fall. Economic development is the defining indicator of progress in China, but the underlying goal is social stability–to that end, the Chinese government will do whatever it takes to maintain it. I think that is in line with what you’re saying, but it’s also worth noting that the central government will step in when punishing a local government will maintain stability, or at least cause less destabilization than taking no action would. So in a way, if enough people make a big enough fuss against their city/provincial government, that government will almost certainly take the fall.

]]> By: nanheyangrouchuan http://cupofcha.com/2008/04/30/does-the-central-government-run-china.html#comment-1315 nanheyangrouchuan Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:08:22 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=262#comment-1315 When there is an open clash between local Chinese and local governments, the provinces and Beijing first crush the protest, then sacrifice a few local officials who made the CCP look bad and don't have enough connections in Beijing or enough dirt on high level CCP officials to defend themselves. Then there is the PLA/PAP, which is an organ of power unto itself and is the real power in China. The CCP would disintegrate were it not for the PLA's backing. When there is an open clash between local Chinese and local governments, the provinces and Beijing first crush the protest, then sacrifice a few local officials who made the CCP look bad and don’t have enough connections in Beijing or enough dirt on high level CCP officials to defend themselves.

Then there is the PLA/PAP, which is an organ of power unto itself and is the real power in China. The CCP would disintegrate were it not for the PLA’s backing.

]]> By: Paul http://cupofcha.com/2008/04/30/does-the-central-government-run-china.html#comment-1311 Paul Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:42:15 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=262#comment-1311 Josh, well written and thought out. I agree with all of what you're saying. The one thing I might add to the mix, if I may, is that Beijing's reluctance sometimes to crack down on local officials for misdeeds is somewhat inherent in the Cadre managment system. This country may be governed by a one-party system, but this country is run by the 'guanxi system.' Because of the large bureaucracy, there has developed a vast tapestry of favors, back scratching and factional intermingling that might lead Beijing, at times, to be more concerned about pissing off the wrong group more than it might be at rooting out problem officials. Josh, well written and thought out. I agree with all of what you’re saying. The one thing I might add to the mix, if I may, is that Beijing’s reluctance sometimes to crack down on local officials for misdeeds is somewhat inherent in the Cadre managment system. This country may be governed by a one-party system, but this country is run by the ‘guanxi system.’ Because of the large bureaucracy, there has developed a vast tapestry of favors, back scratching and factional intermingling that might lead Beijing, at times, to be more concerned about pissing off the wrong group more than it might be at rooting out problem officials.

]]> By: Larry http://cupofcha.com/2008/04/30/does-the-central-government-run-china.html#comment-1308 Larry Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:24:21 +0000 http://cupofcha.com/?p=262#comment-1308 "China has always been highly decentralized in its power, owing greatly to its enormousness." That's not quite true. Some dynasties were decentralized by design, and others were defacto decentralized, or, they thought they were centralized. I think the current situation is "Zhongnanhai says it runs the country." Individual officials just find ways to get around that. “China has always been highly decentralized in its power, owing greatly to its enormousness.” That’s not quite true. Some dynasties were decentralized by design, and others were defacto decentralized, or, they thought they were centralized. I think the current situation is “Zhongnanhai says it runs the country.” Individual officials just find ways to get around that.

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