Introduction
China is known for its historically authoritarian political system. Nonetheless, this has not stopped them from emerging as one of the greatest national economic powers. The twentieth century was dominated by United States as the best economy but this has changed in 21st century where China is set to lead the pack of emerging economies.
China’s situation is unique given that most powerful states draw such powers from wealth. The recent protest that was observed in Tiananmen Square conveys political repression in china as youths seek change but the government is unlikely to grant this that easily.
China’s political system, which has been largely regarded as communist and undemocratic, has allowed continuity as well as change. In addition, its religious system has been quite instrumental in its continuity. The balance of dynamism and conservatism has ensured continuity in China.
Its founder Qin Shi Huangdi who failed to establish immortality is regarded as the founding father of China’s political system as well as the world’s oldest civilization. The country is currently facing globalization and change is eminent although it is hard to come by, considering the government’s effort to ensure continuity of their ideological systems. This paper will endeavor to explore the manner in which political, religious and ideological systems of China have enabled continuity and change (Sirgo, Gleason, and Tarver 1)
History of China
China is regarded as one of the oldest of Civilizations in the world. Its ancient civilization extends throughout East Asia. Its civilization is estimated to have started over 4000 years ago. Its societies and economies were the best in the world before 19th century.
However, they missed industrialization that took shape in 19th century leading to their decline. This was mainly because of the dynasties that ruled China, imperialism, civil wars as well as internal weakness. The country’s turmoil resulted into two states that still called themselves China.
These were, Republic of China (ROC) and People’s Republic of China (PRC). The former was established in 1912 in the mainland and is currently known as Taiwan while the latter was established in 1949 and takes control of the mainland from Taiwan. Taiwan now controls the islands such as Taiwan, Matsu, Pratas, Kinmen, among other outlying islands.
People’s Republic of China (PRC) remains the largest and controls the self-governing states of Macau and Hong Kong. Hong Kong was liberated to govern itself in 1997 while Macau in 1999 (U.S. Department of State 1).
Taiwan changed its economic policies in 1950s that enabled it to be industrialized. This transformed its economy resulting in high growth and development. These changes were embraced later by the PRC, in the 70s, in which they made the famous Four Modernizations that aimed to improve agriculture, defense, technology as well as its industries.
These changes led to modernization in China as it transformed into an economic giant, in the process raising their living standards. PRC has since become a powerful economic power in the world, challenging the likes of United States and traditionally known economic powers like European Union in the 21st century.
The country’s culture has spread throughout the region and acquired by its neighboring countries like Japan. China is also regarded as a source of inventions and innovations throughout its history. Its language systems were the first to be written in the world.
It has also been a site for archeological research as they study the remains of Homo erectus estimated to have lived there over 300000 years ago. China face modern challenges as other nations, the main concerns include widespread corruption, degradation of the environment as well as the increasing gap between the poor and the rich (U.S. Department of State 1).
China’s political system
Government
China is controlled by Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which is authoritarian in both ideology and structure. This has not been easy because of the diverse nature of the country in geography and social circles. They have been restricted to building consensus in most issues with other parties, influential people, regional leaders as well as the Chinese population at large.
The party has a membership of over 76 Million and dominates Chinese government. Their influences have always prevailed, except in economic issues in which external influences from non-party members and organizations have prevailed.
In other essential issues of culture and economy, the committees ensure that they are followed in accordance with the party’s guidance. The coastal regions usually offer great challenges to the party since their growth is rapid (U.S. Department of State 1).
Legal System
After the famous Chinese Cultural Revolution, the government opted to emphasize on enforcing the rule of law. This was done through the new state constitution, which was adopted in 1982. Great focus was placed on taming tyrannical rulers, who could be held responsible in the new law.
Over 300 laws, most of which aimed at economic reforms have been adopted in China since 1979. This showed their efforts to restrain revolutionary leaders who overused powers. Among the innovative ways, include their use of mediation committees to solve minor criminal cases throughout the country as well as the fact that they are well informed and take responsibility for over 90% of china’s civil cases.
These committees are numerous, accounting for more than 800000 committees throughout the country. The country has made numerous reforms on law by professionalizing the whole system. These led to further amendments of criminal laws as citizens got the opportunity to sue officials who happen to abuse office.
The latest advancement in China’s constitutional amendment was done in 2004 and it included fundamental human rights as well as ownership of property. These developments are however rarely practiced in some cases, and this negates the gains in handling human rights (U.S. Department of State 1).
Human Rights
Although changes were made to improve human rights, this has not been adequately accomplished as several human rights abuses occur in China. The year 2009 witnessed continued abuses of human rights with the legal system being faulted for inadequacy in stemming such abuses.
These were observed during the 50th anniversary in honor of Tibetan uprising as well as in the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square. The other high profile human abuse incident happened during celebration of 60th anniversary of PRC. These abuses included detention, executions that did not follow the correct process.
Others included extrajudicial killings, torture, forced confessions as well as severe restriction of basic human rights such as freedom of speech, privacy, religion, association, birth (birth limitation), press, among others.
These presents exceedingly hash treatment of citizens as such activities rarely happen in the modern world. Nonetheless, the changes that have been realized by China in its political system have been key components of its continuity and change (U.S. Department of State 1).
China’s religious system
Chinese lifestyle is greatly influenced by religion. Research and surveys conducted throughout the country in the year 2007 showed that over 30% of Chinese citizens were religious believers (those aged 16 years and above). Restrictions have been placed on religious sectors even though they proclaim freedom of religious belief to all citizens.
Buddhism is the most common denomination in China with Chinese news agency Xinhua estimating their number at over 100 million. Other estimates show that over 20 million Chinese are Muslims, and another 20 million Protestants. Catholics are estimated to be over 5 million while there are no statistics for Taoists.
More recently, several unofficial religions and unauthorized churches have sprung in China. These have led to widespread harassment by authorities in some parts of the country. Catholic’s loyalty to Vatican also triggers suppression since the government claims that Rome interferes with their internal affairs. It also brands some Christian groups as well as Falun Gong as evil religions thereby suppressing their practice (U.S. Department of State 1).
Civilians in china have suffered severe human rights abuses regarding their freedom of worship. This is mainly because China only recognizes five denominations. These recognized religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Protestantism as well as Islam. The country monitors almost everything its citizens engage in, for instance, internet writing, journalists, political rebels as well as religious activists.
This does not leave non-governmental organization as their activities are monitored as well. The religious sectors that are recognized by the country are also monitored, in essence, regulating worship and religious groups.
This is abuse of human rights to freedom of religion as they intimidate and harass any individual or groups that seek to worship through other denominations apart from the named. This way, the country is able to control its people from diverse ideas that they fear may lead to its disintegration. Unregistered religious groups are outlawed and are likely to cause detention, harassment or intimidation (U.S. Department of State 1).
The United States has labeled China as a country with specific concerns as it restricts religious freedom. The country does not allow any spiritual movements that counter its five registered denominations. This amounts to severe abuse of human rights and religious freedom.
The country’s significant economic growth has led to improved lives. This has contributed to social mobility as people look for jobs, join institutions of higher learning throughout the country and abroad, in the process expanding the limits of personal freedom.
Increased mobility has expanded freedom of travel, association, cultural mix, educational pursuit and access to information through the internet among other ways. Other freedoms achieved through economic developments include freedom to employment, personal choices and social interactions.
These have enabled spread of religious practices throughout the country, effecting a gradual change in religious awareness. China’s religious system has therefore contributed to its continuity as well as change, although at a slower pace compared to political and ideological systems (Singh 1).
China’s ideological system
Chinese Communist Party
The communist party CCP is authoritarian in its ideologies and enforces them on Chinese citizens. Since CCP is a communist party, their structures are based on communism, focusing more on establishing and maintaining cultural values. To achieve this, they have a well-organized members committee that ensures these regulations are followed.
The strong economic reforms that were implemented by PRC, in the 1970s, in which they made the famous Four Modernizations aimed at improving agriculture, defense, technology as well as its industries worked to propel china to their present position as an economic powerhouse.
In these reforms, they adopted a pragmatic approach to several socioeconomic and political problems. They also managed to reduce the role played by ideology in their system to spur further economic growth. The strong ideology that founded China had to be slowed after 1978 to allow for economic growth, which had already started in Taiwan (U.S. Department of State 1).
How these systems have allowed for both continuity and change
Political system
China’s political system has an authoritarian communist party with communist ideologies in its structures, putting more effort on maintaining sociocultural issues. The government was known for its authoritarian stand on legal system.
However, this had to change, as dealing with diverse communities from a central location (Beijing) became reasonably difficult. Influence from the international community as well as rise of Taiwan through economic reforms.
Reforms in China’s legal system have expanded limits of freedom as basic human rights. They have also done a series of amendments to their constitution to allow for professionalization of judges, lawyers as well as accountability of office bearers. These changes have enabled China’s economic growth as well as expanded freedom. In this regard, the system allowed for change and continuity (Fenby 1).
Religious system
It is estimated that over 30% of Chinese are believers, meaning that religion makes a great influence on the country. The government only recognizes five denominations in the country. In addition, it monitors as well as regulates these denominations, and in the process suppresses any spiritual or religious groups that they feel are not patriotic.
These include their rivalry with Vatican, which they accuse of interfering with Chinese internal affairs. In recent times, various crops of religious groups have sprung throughout the country, influencing social and cultural changes. Religious systems have therefore contributed greatly to change and continuity in China.
Ideological system
China has assumed new approach to numerous political hitches. They also managed to reduce the role played by ideology in their system to spur further economic growth. The strong ideology that founded China had to be slowed after 1978 to allow for economic growth, which had already started in Taiwan.
This shows their soft stance on the formerly aggressive ideologies that structured its foundation. Reduction in ideological systems have enhanced changes and spurred economic growth (Xiaowen 1).
Conclusion
China’s political, religious and ideological systems have contributed greatly to continuity and change. Their society is among the first to be established in the world. They have also managed to make changes in their policies. These policies have mainly targeted the law system, which was professionalized, the four modernizations that included agricultural improvement, industrial, defense as well as technology.
The twentieth century was dominated by United States as the best economy but this has changed in 21st century where China is set to lead the pack of emerging economies. These systems have therefore contributed to China’s continuity in conserving its cultural values as well as change in their legal systems, religious sectors as well as their handling of human rights (Leung 1).
Works Cited
Fenby, Jonathan. “Continuity and Change”. Guardian. 2007. Web.
Leung, Beatrice. “China’s Religious Freedom Policy: The Art of Managing Religious Activity”. The China Quarterly. 2011. Web.
Singh, Swaran. “Continuity and Change in China’s Political Elite”. Idsa. 2011. Web.
Sirgo, Henry., Gleason, Diane and Tarver, Michael. “Continuity and Change in the Chinese Political System: Why Consumerism Does Not Translate Into Democracy”. All academic. 2011. Web.
U.S. Department of State. “Background Note: China”. Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. 2010. Web.
Xiaowen, Ye. “China’s Religions Retrospect and Prospect”. china.org. 2001. Web.