Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Some corruption is worse than other corruption

It may be that corruption is simply a pre-existing condition in Chinese politics. Guanxi means that wealth comes with influence and power. And if you cross the wrong people, you might be prosecuted.

China’s corruption fight tested by senior leader’s family wealth

“Corruption is a common enemy for all,” China’s official Xinhua news agency thundered back in April, in an editorial praising the Communist Party leadership for ousting one-time rising star Bo Xilai. “If the issue is left unattended, a country may implode, its ruling power will collapse, and its society left in chaos.”

Xi Jinping

So what does Xinhua write now that Bloomberg has reported that the extended family of Xi Jinping, the man set to take over as general-secretary of the Communist Party this fall, is worth hundreds of millions of dollars?…

But while the revelation that Mr. Xi’s family might make money every time the Chinese government tightens supply of rare earths metals… would seem to merit further examination, the Standing Committee of the Politburo is almost certain to turn a blind eye. The reason: nearly all the top leadership of the Communist Party have wildly successful relatives, while the senior officials themselves are paid – on paper – tiny salaries.

The Bloomberg report begins with a quote from Mr. Xi himself, in his current post as vice-president: “Rein in your spouses, children, relatives, friends and staff, and vow not to use power for personal gain,” he warned officials back in 2004. In a speech this March, he said some people were joining the Communist Party because they saw it as a ticket to wealth. “It is more difficult, yet more vital than ever to keep the party pure,” he said…

Can the Communist Party of China still promote a man who campaigned against corruption while his family accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars?

Probably. There’s likely too much at stake to alter the long-planned transition of power at this late hour. The party’s leaders proved long ago that they put “stability” ahead of all other principles…