Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Friday, October 26, 2012

Democratic centralism at work

Based on the headline, I expected to read about how the Party in China was going to change its constitution. Nope. All I learned was that there will be amendments.

How many elements of democratic centralism can your students identify? And what are the "Three Represents?" And what is the "Scientific Outlook on Development?"

[BTW: in this context, to "table" a document or topic means to introduce it not to delay action on it (as in Robert's Rules of Orders).]

CPC to amend Party Constitution

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is going to amend the Party Constitution at its upcoming 18th National Congress scheduled for Nov. 8, according to a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Monday.

The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided to submit a draft amendment to the CPC Constitution to the 7th Plenum of the 17th CPC Central Committee for further discussion on Nov. 1, before it is tabled with the national congress…

The meeting heard two reports, respectively on the suggestions collected from CPC members to the draft amendment to the CPC Constitution and the suggestions solicited from CPC members and non-Party personages to the draft report to the 18th CPC National Congress.

The meeting will modify the two draft amendments based on Monday's discussion before submitting these documents to the 7th Plenum of the 17th CPC Central Committee for deliberation.

The Party will make a draft report to the 18th CPC national congress that complies with the common aspirations of the CPC and people of all ethnic backgrounds, meets the development needs of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and adapts to "new situations" and "new tasks," according to an official statement issued after Monday's meeting…

The 18th CPC National Congress… carries high significance in inspiring CPC members and people of all ethnic groups to continue to forge ahead with the building of a moderately prosperous society, the modernization drive, as well as the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The whole Party should hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, be guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thoughts of the "Three Represents," and thoroughly carry out the Scientific Outlook on Development, according to the statement…