China: An Authoritarian State

Essay Instructions:

The case study should be 2000 words and (1) identify the type of regime it is and whether it is typical of that type (2) identify leader, elites who play important roles in the functioning of the regime; (3) identify the key actors and events in the mass politics of the regime (opposition parties, elections, protests etc) (4) characterise the strategies the regime uses to stay in power and (5) describe the trajectory of the regime over a relevant period of time. The case study should not be thought of as a laundry list of facts but as a piece of academic analysis motivated implicitly by the following questions: How does this regime stay in power and how stable is its hold on power? It should be obvious that the case study is an assessment for this class i.e. it is expected that you use theories and concepts from class and apply them to the case you choose.

Writing tips

1.Define concepts and theories that would not be familiar to an uninformed but not unintelligent reader and cite them

You do not need to define or cite terms that would be familiar to an intelligent layperson

2.Proper citation is expected at this level. That includes:

Citing who made an argument you are referring to

Citing a scholar whose definition of a concept you are using

Citing factual/empirical claims which are contested in any way

3.Engage with evidence in your essay. That could be:

Using WVS/V-Dem/barometer data etc to substantiate your claims

Describing and evaluating how scholars substantiate the arguments they make

4.To score on the top end of the scale, you should be critically evaluating the research you are engaging with

What are the strengths

What are the limitations

What are the scope conditions (where do the arguments apply and where do they not i.e. what is the scope of the argument)

5.Make sure your own ‘voice’ is clear

It should be clear throughout what it is that *you* are arguing

Try not to hide behind extensive use of quotes, indirect language or hedged claims

6.“It’s an political science paper not a mystery novel” – Chris Achen

I should know what your argument is from the start

Each paragraph should flow from the next

Use of clear topic sentences is key

Essay Sample Content Preview:

CASE STUDY: CHINA AS AN AUTHORITARIAN STATE
By (Student Name)
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Case Study: China as an Authoritarian State
The People's Republic of China represents a robust authoritarian rule with one-party rule, regulated media, and constrained political freedoms. This case study explores the features of the Chinese political structure, stressing the significant impact presented by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the supreme leadership of Xi Jinping. It investigates mass politics in China, where the CCP firmly controls opposition, and evaluates tactics used to maintain the regime's authority, including co-optation, repression, and legitimation. Also, the case study covers China's history, showing its adaptability and perseverance despite many obstacles. The Chinese authoritarian state is not just an accurate representation of this political system but also a unique and particularly persistent global player.
Type of Regime and Uniqueness
China, indisputably recognized as an authoritarian political system, features a singular political party structure firmly controlled by the CCP. V-DEM data shows that China has a significantly poor score on the Liberal Democracy Index (LDI). The country's LDI score in 2022 was 0.04, one of the most flawed democracies in the world (V-DEM Institute, 2022, p.47). The CCP exhibits a highly entrenched and monolithic form of control, characterized by a lack of political pluralism, curtailment of individual liberties, and severe media regulation (Dukalskis and Gerschewski, 2017, p.254). The extensive control wielded by Xi Jinping further demonstrates the authoritarian nature of the political system. Since assuming office in 2012, Jinping has effectively consolidated power, diminishing the possibility of shared leadership within the CCP (Smith, 2021, p.142). Furthermore, the Chinese regime distinguishes itself as an exceptional model within the spectrum of authoritarian systems, primarily owing to its vast magnitude and significant global impact.
One notable characteristic of China's political system is its consultative authoritarianism paradigm. Although the CCP maintains its exclusive control over governance, it has implemented a mechanism that permits a certain level of consultation and feedback. This characteristic sets it apart from other autocratic regimes that exhibit greater inflexibility. In this particular framework, the CCP actively solicits opinions and recommendations from many social actors and interest groups, notably to uphold an appearance of attentiveness towards the problems expressed by the population. Moreover, China's economic strength, which has risen tremendously over the last decades, further sets it different as it has enabled the regime to sustain its control through financial performance, governance, nationalism, culture, democracy, and ideology as popular sovereignty under the party's leadership defines it (Dukalskis and Gerschewski, 2017, p.257). The Chinese government adeptly employs a strategic approach integrating economic growth with stringent political control, making it a distinctive exemplar among authoritarian regimes. As a result, China falls under the authoritarian classification. However, it is essential to note that China possesses unique attributes and employs specific techniques that set it apart from other autocratic nations, highlighting its unusual position within the global landscape of political regimes.
Key Leaders and Elites
In the intricate structure of China's authoritarian system, prominent politicians and elites substantially influence shaping its political landscape. China has one of the lowest Participatory Component Index (PCI) score of 0.14 (V-DEM Institute, 2022, p.47). Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the CCP, is an influential figure in China's topmost power ranks, representing the country's leadership and the unrelenting control that the CCP exercises. The ascent of Xi as leader in 2012 proved a significant turning point in the regime's trajectory. The leader's tenure features a centralization of authority, with him being the ultimate decision-maker (So, 2019, p.52). This particular action, along with others, has resulted in his elevation to a position of utmost leadership, comparable to that of the Mao Zedong era. Consequently, he has acquired unparalleled power and influence over the state and the party. In addition to domestic issues, Xi promoted China's global aims through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which presents significant implications for international politics (Kallio, 2023, p.229).
The CCP's inner circle's Standing Committee of the Politburo composition is essential to comprehend China's leadership structure. The group mentioned above comprises party officials who hold prominent positions, and in conjunction with Xi Jinping, it serves as the focal point of political authority inside the nation. Although these individuals of high social status possess significant authority in crafting the governing body's policies, they are also obligated to Xi, emphasizing the centralization of power around the supreme leader. Moreover, the economic elites in China, a significant number of whom maintain affiliations with the CCP, constitute a multifaceted and influential component within the political system. The interconnection between political and economic elites in China highlights the distinctive consultative authoritarianism model the regime employs (Truex, 2017, p.336). The financial elites have significant influence over crucial sectors and are a material incentive provider to ensure regime stability. Hence, prominent figures such as Xi Jinping, the Standing Committee, and the economic elite play pivotal roles in upholding China's authoritarian government and steering its unique development trajectory and power consolidation.
Mass Politics: Opposition and Control
In the context of China's authoritarian political system, the domain of mass politics exhibits a multifaceted interplay between opposition and control. Despite the tight hold of power by the CCP, there are discernible components of political participation and competition that provide intricacy to China's political milieu. The Chinese political landscape encompasses several parties, although it is imperative to acknowledge that these parties function within the overarching leadership and guidance of the CCP. The primary function of political parties is predominantly consultative since they are vehicles for expressing policy recommendations and engaging in deliberations on legislative affairs (Gerschewski, 2013, p.16). In practical terms, the impact of their influence on decision-making is limited due to the stringent control exerted by the CCP over ultimate authority. The consultative authoritarianism approach, while appearing to foster political plurality, ultimately stays under the power of the CCP. Its consultative authoritarianism is unique. China scores 0.15 on the V-Dem Liberal Component Index, higher than despotic North Korea (0.03) and Eritrea (0.02) (V-DEM Institute, 2022, p.47)
The domain of popular politics in China also incorporates political control and repression components. V-DEM's data show China's Egalitarian Component Index (ECI) score as 0.34 and its Participatory Component Index (PCI) score as 0.14 (V-DEM Institute, 2022, p.47). This data demonstrates political disparities and limited participation, evident in authoritarian countries. Public protests and expressions of opposition have occurred, but they often encounter prompt and resolute governmental suppression. The Chinese state has made it common to hire thugs to coerce people into complying with its policies and repress them. The CCP has demonstrated an enhanced capability in monitoring and controlling online platforms, restricting the dissemination of divergent viewpoints. The use of 'thugs-for-hire' or subcontracted state coercion expands the scope of state authority (Ong, 2018, p.681). These methods consolidate the CCP's control by suppressing any expression of opposition that may threaten the regime's power. The rule effectively maintains a delicate equilibrium between the appearance of political engagement and discourse while simultaneously implementing robust systems of control, thus illustrating the fundamental duality in China's authoritarian style of governance. Therefore, dictatorial rule in China ...

Updated on January 26, 2024

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