Introduction
An authoritarian political system is a form of government in which one person or group has absolute power. China is an authoritarian political system because the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controls all aspects of the government and society. Meaning that ordinary citizens have little say in how the country is run and lack basic civil liberties. This top-down political system results in efficient decision-making but often leads to widespread human rights abuses. The Chinese political system has led to adverse effects on the country, such as poverty, inequality, and corruption. On the other hand, the country has had a minor influence on the world, such as economic interdependence, while its major effect includes belonging to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Therefore, other than the great contributions made by China’s political system to the world, it has authoritarian governance that has negatively impacted it.
China’s Authoritarian Governance
China being an authoritarian state means that the Chinese Communist Party is in complete control of all aspects of government. The party controls the military, the police, and all other organs of the state (Joseph 23). China’s authoritarian political system is based on a single-party rule and Marxist-Leninist ideology. The CCP has ruled China since 1949 when it drove the Kuomintang (KMT) party from power; the KMT was a nationalist party that had ruled China since 1912.
The Chinese Communist Party operates as a Leninist single-party dictatorship. The general secretary of the CCP is the most powerful individual in China and presides over the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), which is the top decision-making body of the CCP. The CCP regulates all aspects of Chinese politics and strictly forbids any opposition to its rule (Joseph 7). Almost all media outlets are state-owned and operated, meaning that critical reporting or commentary about the government or CCP is not tolerated. Political dissenters are routinely jailed, tortured, or executed. The authoritarian political system in China has led to rampant corruption among party officials, who often use their positions to amass wealth and power.
The negative effects of an authoritarian political system are vast and can be seen in countries around the world. One of the most notable examples is China, where for decades, the ruling Communist Party has exercised complete control over all aspects of society. Under an authoritarian government, individual rights and freedoms are typically trampled in favor of the ruling party’s or leader’s interests (Joseph 17). This often leads to widespread inequality, corruption, and poverty. In China, for example, the government routinely censors information it does not want its citizens to see and cracks down harshly on any form of dissent. The country similarly has a very high level of economic inequality, with a small number of wealthy elites controlling a large majority of the country’s wealth.
There are many factors that contribute to corruption in China, but one of the most significant is the country’s authoritarian political system. Under this system, there is no proper or effective separation of powers, and officials are less accountable to the people. This lack of accountability allows corrupt officials to abuse their power and steal from Chinese citizens with impunity (Joseph 27). In addition, the ruling Communist Party perpetuates a culture of corruption by using its power to grant favors and financial rewards to those who support its policies. The corruption problem in China is further compounded by the fact that most citizens do not trust government institutions.
Similarly, the dictatorial political system has led to poverty in China; one way is through corruption. Officials in positions of power misuse their authority for personal gain; this results in the misallocation of resources, which has led to poverty among some citizens. Another way an authoritarian political system has contributed to poverty in China is by stifling economic growth. Businesses and entrepreneurs are not allowed to operate freely, and innovation is thus suppressed, and this prevents China from achieving its potential growth (Joseph 13). Additionally, an authoritarian system can also create social inequality, which has exacerbated poverty. When people do not have equal opportunities or access to resources, this puts them at a disadvantage and makes it more difficult for them to escape poverty.
Conversely, there are a number of ways in which authoritarian political systems have led to inequality in China. One is through the centralization of power within the Chinese government. This has created opportunities for those in positions of power to abuse their authority, often with devastating effects on the lives of regular people (Joseph 31). Another way is through repression and intimidation; the authoritarian regimes often use violence or the threat thereof to keep dissenters in line, which has again had hugely negative consequences for everyday China citizens. Finally, this type of system does not allow for much public participation or input when it comes to making decisions that affect everyone. This lack of transparency and accountability breeds corruption, resulting in greater inequality among the Chinese.
Chinese politics impacts the entire world in several ways; China is one of the five permanent United Nations Security Council members. The country often uses its veto power to block resolutions it does not agree with concerning its ideologies. This has had a ripple effect on international affairs and diplomacy. Additionally, China is a major economic player, and its policies can affect global trade and investment (Joseph 11). For example, China’s recent decision to stop importing wheat from Canada has significantly impacted the Canadian economy. Finally, Chinese politics can also be a major source of tension and conflict. The ongoing dispute over the South China Sea is just one example of how Chinese political maneuvering can create rifts between different nations.
China has helped in achieving economic interdependence; it is now the world’s second-largest economy, and its growth has had a significant impact on other countries around the world. For example, China’s booming economy has led to an increase in demand for goods and services from other countries, which has helped boost the economies of many countries. Moreover, the growth of the Chinese economy over the past few decades has had a major impact on the global economy (Joseph 12). China is now one of the world’s largest consumers of goods and services, and this increased demand has helped to boost trade and create jobs in countries around the world. Directly, Chinese politics can be seen in the way that other countries model their own political systems and policies after China’s. For instance, many nations have adopted elements of China’s “one-party system,” in which a single party holds power (often through totalitarian means).
Belonging to United Nations Security Council is the more influential China contribution to the world; it focuses on international peace and security. And as China is one of its five permanent members, it wields considerable power on the world stage (Joseph 15). Some of the UNSC’s key responsibilities include maintaining international peace and security, upholding treaties and agreements, and implementing sanctions. China has used its position on the council to advocate for its own interests and policies, as well as those of other countries around the world. In particular, it has been vocal about issues such as climate change, human rights, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are considered to be powerful because they have veto power (Joseph 6). This means they can prevent any resolution from being passed, making them very influential in international politics. Additionally, the permanent members are all nuclear powers, which gives them an even greater degree of authority on the world stage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no doubt that Chinese politics is heavily influenced by its authoritarian roots. This can be seen in the way decisions are made, which are often based on the will of the party or political leadership rather than on public opinion. The Chinese authoritarian system has been criticized for its negative effects on corruption, poverty, and inequality. In particular, the lack of freedom and democratic processes has been blamed for fostering corruption. Additionally, the high levels of poverty and inequality in China are thought to be a result of income disparities created by an overly centralized government that does not allocate resources efficiently. Conversely, China has contributed to economic interdependence, which has helped in the supply of various products to different countries around the globe. Similarly, China has a seat in the UN Security Council, giving it much power and influence in international affairs.
Work Cited
Joseph, William A., ed. Politics in China: An introduction. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, USA, 2019.