The Chinese Communist Party Essay Example for Free

The Chinese Communist Party Essay The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has remained in power for the past 60 years, suggesting its effectiveness in retaining its legitimacy to rule. However, new socio-economic conditions brought about by rapid modernization have caused a need to consider other criteria in obtaining a holistic view of CCP’s effectiveness. CCP’s effectiveness in governing China ultimately resides in whether it can continue to legitimize its rule and keep its people satisfied. In face of economic modernization , four sets of considerations has to be made when evaluating these aspects four sets of considerations has to be made when evaluating these aspects; we must examine Chinas economic growth, equality, which is a part of the CCP’s goal to build a harmonious society, China’s international status and the environment. For now, CCP seems to be largely effective in governing China. China’s high GDP growth has managed to keep satisfaction levels high, seen by the sharp decline in the number of uprisings in recent years. Major events like the 2008 Olympics have also caused the people to think of CCP as highly capable, sustaining its legitimacy. Despite this, the sustainability of CCP’s effectiveness in ruling China in the long term remains highly questionable since fundamental problems still exist in the four considerations, which can significantly sabotage CCP’s current efforts attaining its goals and maintaining its legitimacy. There is hence a need for CCP to address these currently neglected problems to sustain its effective rule. 1) ECONOMIC GROWTH T.S: CCP has been effective in governing China by leading China to attain high economic growth thus strengthening its eudemonic legitimacy. Elaboration: * China has managed to attain average growth of 9% over the past 15 years, pulling millions out of poverty. China’s fast recovery during the 2008 financial crisis also caused many Chinese to be confident in CCP’s capabilities. People are therefore happy with their improved lives and trust that CCP is the best way for China to maintain growth * In poll conducted after financial crisis, 72% opted to keep CCP in power as opposed to promoting democracy and they cited high economic growth as the reason. * CCP therefore effective in governing China in the aspect of economic growth Counter: Despite high eudemonic legitimacy, it is unsustainable since problems caused by economic growth still remain unsolved. Elaboration: * People are unhappy: Wide disparity has caused much dissatisfaction among those left behind by people economic modernization. Many minorities like Tibetans for example continue having separatist tendencies and bear grudges towards Han because of income gap. * Current leaders basing legitimacy on ideology of promoting Harmonious Society. Little progressed has been made in reducing income gap CCP not able to fulfill their promise weaken legitimacy and also not able to appease dissatisfaction. * Legitimacy too reliant on maintaining high growth unsustainable. * China’s economic growth too export driven but as its manufacturing advantage gets eroded by growing labour costs, there is growing need for its economic model to transit to one that is driven by domestic consumption. Domestic consumption now still remains very low which can threaten sustainability of China’s economic growth weakening legitimacy if problem Is not solved. Conclusion for economic consideration: While CCP is now effective in keeping its eudemonic legitimacy, persistent problems like the widening income gap has the potential to erode this current legitimacy and CCP must therefore be more effective in solving these problems and keep economic growth sustainable to ensure its effective rule in the long term.