China+Pd.3+Electoral+Process

﻿Political Parties

﻿The denial of individual freedoms is a strong part of the Chinese government's foundation. All the same, with increased globalization comes an increased need to impress upon the world that China is guaranteeing the rights of its citizens. Reflecting this, the Chinese political system is compromised of nine political parties. Only of of those parties, however, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has any real power. The other eight parties are merely puppets of the CCP and are recognized as a farce by the American government.

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The Chinese Communist Party


 * Description


 * Uses Marxism, Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and Deng Xiaoping Theory as its foundation
 * Strong ties to socialism
 * Open to economic growth (since 1979)
 * Adheres to four Cardinal Principles
 * adhere to a socialist road
 * adhere to the people's democratic dictatorship
 * adhere to Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought
 * adhere to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party
 * Origin
 * Created in 1921
 * Came to power in 1949
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Led the people in four revolutionary wars from 1919-1949
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The Northern Expedition of Kuomintang-Communist cooperation (1924-1927)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The Agrarian Revolutionary War (1927-1937)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The War of Resistance against Against Japan (1937-1945)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The Chinese People's War of Liberation (1946-1949)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Party Members
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">76 million members
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">8% of the Chinese population over the age of 18
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Type of people
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Peasants (31.4%)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Managerial and technical personnel (22.4%)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Retirees (18.9%)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Industrial workers (10.1%)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Party and state cadres (7.5%)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Private entrepreneurs (5.1%)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Students (2.5%)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Military and armed police personnel (2.1%)
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Women
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">20%
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">More power than the other parties?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The CCP has considerably more power than the other parties
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The other parties were created merely to supplement the CCP
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">They do not oppose the CCP in elections
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">They advise the CCP but have no real power
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Run by the people or the government?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The CCP is run by the government
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The party controls every aspect of government
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">CCP members are placed in key governemnt positions throughout the system to maintain supervision
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Members of the Party Congress elect officials to the most powerful positions not the people

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The Other Parties
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">800,000 members
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">non-opposition parties
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Defer to the CCP
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[]
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This link explains how the other parties are limited, and how they function alongside the CCP.
 * These parties are run by the people
 * Though the people in this case tend to be politically inclined and affluent

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Who Can Vote?

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Level of participation in elections
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The poor have high voting attendance
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Villages are the only places that experience elections and the rich live in the urban cities
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Thus the peasants vote
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">All men and women over the age of 18 are permitted to vote
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The head of the household is allowed three proxy votes, so he can theoretically take his wife's vote
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">When did different sectors receive the right to vote?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Everyone gained the right to vote in 1987 with the creation of elections
 * Voter Turnout
 * Information is unavailable
 * International Idea that tracks voter turnout has no statistics on China

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Elections

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Elections are only held on the village level. Higher positions in the government are voted upon by members of the Communist Party who are part of the legislature. The people have no say in the matter. Village leaders and similar positions are elected by the people, but they are nominated by the CCP.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Frequency of elections
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Chinese presidential elections are held every five years
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Last election was March 2008
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Next election will be March 2013
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Level of free and fair in elections
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Less than 20% of elections are free and fair
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">picture: []
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">A study of 7 provinces[[image:http://futurist.typepad.com/my_weblog/images/350pxfreedom_house_world_map_2005_10.png width="490" height="226"]]
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Run by University of California at Berkley
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Vote buying is common
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The ballot boxes are often fixed
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Those that suggest foul play are beaten and jailed
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Candidates without the support of the CCP do not have their name listed on the ballot and are forbidden from organizing rallies.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">No independent parties are permitted
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Direct and indirect
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Most elections are indirect
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China chooses political leaders for all of the higher positions
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Usually choose from amongst themselves
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Leaders of the executive and party leaders are chosen in this manner
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">All mayors and provincial leaders are also chosen indirectly
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Some elections are direct
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Most elections at the village level are direct
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Prevents corruption
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">How are the winners decided?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Absolute majority vote within their electoral units
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Winners must have the most votes
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Winners must receive at least 1/3 of the vot
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">If no one wins at least 1/3 another election is held
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Is there an electoral comission to determine fairness?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">No; the elections are orchestrated by the CCP
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The government is often responsible for fraudulent elections and no one holds them responsible

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Notworthy Elections


 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Recent elections
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">There are no significante elections as top positions are filled through appointments
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Elections for the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">August 2, 2007
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Elections started October 2006 and ended June 2007
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">2,217 delegates elected from 38 electorates
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">100 more candidates than the 16th National Congress
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">6,000,000 more CPC members
 * Traditionally invite senior party members who have left their leading positions
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">They passed a qualification check
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Made by the Delegate Qualifications Review Committee
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[]
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Candidates must:
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Observe and follow the CPC constitution
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">"Unswervingly follow the CPC's course, guidelines, and policies, as well as correctly comprehend and earnestly implement the decisions of the Central Committee"
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Follow communist principles in their personal life; exceptional examples of socialism
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">They must connect with the overall populus and be welcomed by them.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Election Procedure
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Recommendation and Nomination
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Candidates are recommended by the local Party committees and are discussed in the local Congress
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">When all of the candidates' names are put forward, the standing committee of the local Party Committees debate and determine a final list of candidates.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Fraud accusations?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">There have been no allegations of fraud as the elections are not open to the public. In the local elections there is a significant amount of vote-buying and intimidation. Elections are often rigged and ballot-stuffing is a significant problem.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Significant shifts in power that created change?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The 1982 constitution allowed for local elections to create villager committees.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This was the largest move toward democratization in Communist Chinese history.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">It allowed the people, not high-ranking officials of the CCP, to have some say in their governance.
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[]