Is the political system practiced in China from 1949 till now democratic or dictorial or what? (minority, experience)

[greatcalgarian]

What do you know about the political system of China?

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Party and Government: A unitary and "socialist state of the
dictatorship of the proletariat," based on Marxism-Leninism-Mao
Zedong Thought, led by 46-million-member Chinese Communist Party
(CCP). Political processes guided by party Constitution and state
Constitution, both promulgated in 1982; constitutions stress
principle of democratic centralism (see Glossary), under which
representative organs of both party and state are elected by
lower bodies and they in turn elect their administrative arms at
corresponding levels. Within representative and executive bodies
minority must abide by decisions of majority; lower bodies obey
orders of higher level organs. In theory, National Party Congress
highest organ of power of party, but real power lies in Political
Bureau of CCP Central Committee and, still more, in select
Standing Committee of Political Bureau. National People's
Congress highest government organ of state power; approves CCP
policies and programs. Reforms implemented in early 1980s allowed
more serious review and deliberations concerning government
programs in National People's Congress. State Council serves as
equivalent of cabinet; key members also hold positions in
important party organs.

Administrative Divisions: Divided into three tiers. In 1987
twenty-nine provincial-level units comprise twenty-one provinces,
five autonomous regions, and three centrally governed special
municipalities; middle tier consists of autonomous prefectures,
counties, autonomous counties, cities, and municipal districts;
and basic level comprises townships, and villages.

Justice: Four-level court system. Supreme People's Court in


Beijing; higher people's courts in provinces, autonomous regions
and special municipalities; intermediate people's courts at
prefecture level and also in parts of provinces, autonomous
regions, and special municipalities; basic people's courts in
counties, towns, and municipal districts. Special courts handle
matters affecting military, railroad transportation, water
transportation, and forestry. Court system paralleled by
hierarchy of prosecuting organs called people's procuratorates;
at apex stands Supreme People's Procuratorate.

Foreign Affairs: As of late 1980s, China pursued independent
foreign policy and sought friendly relations and trade with many
countries despite political differences. China regards itself as
developing country and member of Third World. China, however, has
close cooperative relations, including economic, technological,
political, and limited military cooperation, with United States,
Japan, and other industrially developed nations. Earlier strains
in Chinese relations with Soviet Union, long considered by
Beijing as main threat of war, somewhat ameliorated by late 1980s
but still fell short of full normalization.

NATIONAL SECURITY

Armed Forces: In 1987 combined strength of combat support units
of People's Liberation Army (PLA) just under 3 million. Ground
forces estimated at 2.1 million, world's largest standing army.
Air Force estimated at 390,000. Navy estimated at 350,000,
including those assigned to Naval Air Force, Coastal Defense
Forces, and Marine Corps. Strategic Missile Force estimated at
100,000.

Combat Units and Major Equipment: In 1987 ground forces consisted
of 35 main-force armies comprising 118 infantry divisions, 13
armored divisions, and 33 artillery and antiaircraft divisions;
73 regional-force divisions, about 70 main- and regional-force
independent combat and combat support regiments. Major weapons
systems included Type 59, Type 69, and Type 34 main battle tanks,
Type 62 and Type 63 light battle tanks; various caliber howitzers
and guns and antiaircraft artillery. Air Force equipment included
nearly 5,200 combat aircraft. Navy equipment included 5
nuclear-powered submarines (3 attack and 2 ballistic missile
launching), 110 diesel attack submarines, 46 major surface
combatants (destroyers and frigates), 877 fast-attack craft
(armed with guns, missiles, or torpedoes), nearly 900 other
combatant and support ships and boats, and 780 Naval Air Force
combat aircraft. Strategic Missile Force included 50 medium-range
ballistic missiles (range of 650 nautical miles), 60
intermediate-range ballistic missiles (range of 1,620 nautical
miles), 4 limited-range intercontinental ballistic missiles
(range of 3,780 nautical miles), and 2 full-range
intercontinental ballistic missiles (range of 8,100 nautical
miles).

Military Budget: Officially announced for 1987 at -Y20.4 billion
(for value of the yuan--see Glossary). Western analysts believe
defense spending roughly double announced budget, or about 4
percent of GNP.

Police Agencies and Paramilitary Forces: Police organized under
Ministry of Public Security. People's Armed Police Force,


primarily demobilized PLA troops estimated at 600,000. Supported
by grass-roots party, government, and neighborhood organizations.
Armed militia estimated at 4.3 million, ordinary, unarmed militia
estimated at 6 million.

http://www-chaos.umd.edu/history/part1

[greatcalgarian]

For the first time in decades a Chinese government was met with
peace, instead of massive military opposition, within its
territory. The new leadership was highly disciplined and, having
a decade of wartime administrative experience to draw on, was
able to embark on a program of national integration and reform.
In the first year of Communist administration, moderate social
and economic policies were implemented with skill and
effectiveness. The leadership realized that the overwhelming and
multitudinous task of economic reconstruction and achievement of
political and social stability required the goodwill and
cooperation of all classes of people. Results were impressive by
any standard, and popular support was widespread.

The above is authored by the US Army for first year 1949 China.

[yossarian22]

It is a dictatorship essentially. There has been only one non violent transferal of power in the PRC's history.

Also, what you posted is propaganda from the Chinese government. The Truth would be more accurate then any official report coming out of China

[greatcalgarian]

Is this political freedom?

Political consequences were not inconsiderable. In April 1959
Mao, who bore the chief responsibility for the Great Leap Forward
fiasco, stepped down from his position as chairman of the
People's Republic. The National People's Congress elected Liu
Shaoqi as Mao's successor, though Mao remained chairman of the
CCP. Moreover, Mao's Great Leap Forward policy came under open
criticism at a party conference at Lushan, Jiangxi Province. The
attack was led by Minister of National Defense Peng Dehuai, who
had become troubled by the potentially adverse effect Mao's
policies would have on the modernization of the armed forces.
Peng argued that "putting politics in command" was no substitute
for economic laws and realistic economic policy; unnamed party
leaders were also admonished for trying to "jump into communism
in one step." After the Lushan showdown, Peng Dehuai, who
allegedly had been encouraged by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev
to oppose Mao, was deposed. Peng was replaced by Lin Biao, a
radical and opportunist Maoist. The new defense minister
initiated a systematic purge of Peng's supporters from the
military.

[greatcalgarian]

Originally Posted by yossarian22

It is a dictatorship essentially. There has been only one non violent transferal of power in the PRC's history.

Also, what you posted is propaganda from the Chinese government. The Truth would be more accurate then any official report coming out of China

See the source, it is from US, not from Communist China propaganda

[greatcalgarian]

China : Country Studies - Federal Research Division, Library of Congress

See for yourself.

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by greatcalgarian

See the source, it is from US, not from Communist China propaganda

Which assumes that the Chinese actually follow their constitution at all. Reports from the Soviet Union were similar, but what actually happened was much different.
Old Soviet joke
The people pretend to vote and the officials pretend to count.

[BUDDY]

Originally Posted by greatcalgarian

What do you know about the political system of China?

I know enought to realize that it is an oppressive regime that was capable of slaughtering millions since its inseption. That is enough to convince me that it is no good, no matter how it may sound on paper.

[anders]

" Is the political system practiced in China from 1949 till now democratic or dictorial or what? "

"Western" labels aren't too useful for Asia or even the Middle East.

A reporter asked an old Chinese, "How do you feel living in a dictature?"

The answer, "No problem. Some dictators ruled for ten years, some even for a hundred years. But no one ever ruled for a thousand years."

Let them (and others) decide for themselves how they should act after being relieved from the exploitation and repression from "Western" powers. They need time.

[yossarian22]

Originally Posted by anders

Let them (and others) decide for themselves how they should act after being relieved from the exploitation and repression from "Western" powers. They need time.

And so we should just sit back and let them massacre each other?