Overview
America has derived much of its system of government from Great Britain, and Great Britain's system of government encompasses many American ideals. Although there are many similarities, the differences in government ideology originally lead to the creation of the new world. Both America and Great Britain are democracies but America is also a republic. Perhaps the greatest difference between the two, is the hierarchy of power within the systems. Americas bicameral government consisting of three branches; the legislative, judicial and executive is much different from Great Britain's constitutional monarchy.
The Unwritten British Constitution
The British constitution does not actually consist of one all encompassing document, but consists of old court decisions, charters, the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights, and laws passed by Parliament. The most important aspects of the British Constitution are the customs and traditions of government that are generally accepted by the populace.
To compare Great Britain's unwritten constitution to America's constitution; the amendment processes are much different. Great Britain has no complicated amendment procedure to change their customs, unlike the Constitution of the United States, which needs much legislature and approval in order to be amended. Great Britain's unwritten constitution has allowed the country to grow and evolve without being stopped by legal procedure, however, not all Britons are content with the unwritten constitutions development.
British Monarchy
As aforementioned, Great Britain's government is a constitutional monarchy; this means that as opposed to America's Executive branch (the president), Great Britain functions under a king or queen in which power is passed through family ties. As time has passed Great Britain's monarch has become more of a ceremonial figurehead of the country, instead of an executive voice of the government.
Parliament
Parliament is Great Britain's national legislature, and holds nearly all of the governmental authority in the country. Like America's bicameral legislative branch (House of Representatives and the Senate), Great Britain's parliament is also a bicameral or two house legislature consisting of the House of Commons and the House of the Lords. Both can enact legislation, but the House of Commons has much more power than the House of the Lords.
House of Commons
This piece of the British legislative branch consists of members elected for five year terms and are known as Members of Parliament. Six hundred and fifty one Members of Parliament meet in the chamber in Westminster, located on the Thames River in London. The House of Commons determines Great Britain's legislative and financial policies. Any Member of Parliament may introduce legislation, however, most bills are introduced by the government, the majority party (see Political Policies). If a bill is proposed in the House of Commons, it is debated on the floor and then sent to one of the eight standing committees. Each committee considers bills dealing with all subjects, as the committees are not highly specialized. The final details of all bills are fine-tuned by the committees and then the bills are reported to the House of Commons to be voted on; a majority vote is required for the bill to be passed.
House of Lords
The House of Lords is an aristocratic body of about 1,200 members, of which nearly 800 have inherited titles. The House of Lords, although once a powerful political body of Great Britain's government, now has very limited power. The Lord's have consent over a bill passed by the House of Commons only if they reply to the bill within 30 days of it being passed to the Lords. If the Lords fail to reply to the bill within 30 days, it then becomes a law without the Lords consent. The House of Lords can amend legislation or vote down bills passed by the Commons, however, the Commons may overrule the "upper chamber" and make their own bill a law. Because of the House of Lords limited power, some Britons argue that it is not needed in Great Britain's government. A further distinction between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, is that the Lords do not have to vie for positions in the House, this means the Lords have more time to deliberate legislation before it is passed.
National Government
Perhaps the greatest difference between America's government and Great Britain's government is that Great Britain has no system of checks and balances and does not separate power between the executive and legislative branches. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons, he appoints other ministers, each to head an executive department and serve in the cabinet. Britain's government is often called a parliamentary government.
Political Parties
Two major parties exist in Great Britain, the Labour party and the Conservative party dominate British political life. Each of these parties has had control of the government several times since 1940. The parties are very important in Great Britain's government, because the majority party has the most power in the House of Commons, this means that party discipline is much stricter in Great Britain, as opposed to in America's congress. Members of Parliament are expected to support the Government in all major votes and in general elections, the parties decide which candidates will run in which districts, and voters tend to choose candidates on the basis of party rather than on personal appeal. This contrasts sharply with decentralized politics in the United States where members of Congress must live in their districts or states.
In the House of Commons, the minority party is called the opposition, their purpose is to watch the Government's actions with a critical eye. The leaders of the minority party are organized into a shadow cabinet, a group that would form the government when and if its party assumed power.
Four times a week, the opposition has "question time"; which is a time to quiz the cabinet members and prime ministers about government policies, plans and actions.
The Labour Party
The Labour Party relies on the support of Britain's blue collar citizens, especially those in the country's Strong labor unions.
The Conservative Party
The Conservative Party receive its support from mainly middle and upper class Britons; the white collar citizens.
There is also a small third party called the Liberal Party, this party was predominant in Great Britain up until the 1920's.
Local Government
Great Britain has a unitary government; governmental power is centralized in the national government. This again is very different from the United States, where power is shared between the national government and the governments of the 50 states.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
FRANCE
Overview
France is very similar to Great Britain in the fact that both Great Britain and France are unitary states. However France's government also resembles the United States government, as France is a republic. Despite this, France has many defining unique characteristics. Up until 1958, when France adopted its present constitution, political power in France was very divided. France has undergone much political transition under many forms of government. Today France's government is referred to as the Fifth Republic, but since 1791, France has had four other republics and 16 separate constitutions, 2 of which never applied.
France's political turmoil was especially great during the Third and Fourth Republics due to the distribution of power; the chief executive had very limited power while the more powerful legislation was divided among a fairly large number of competing political parties.
Before 1958, France was divided among a number of large political parties, and a dozen smaller parties, this political division ran very deeply, and made it nearly impossible to create a stable government based on compromise it was difficult for any party to gain enough power to create a unifying political policy or government. Between 1946 and 1958, France had 27 different governments, in which the lifespan of these governments lasted less than 6 months.
The President's Powers
Until the Fifth Republic, France's president had very little power and acted as a ceremonial figurehead, much like the monarchs of Great Britain. When the new constitution of 1958 was adopted, it transformed the role of the president from figurehead, into the most powerful position in the French government. Today the France's presidents serve 7 year terms, and are the only member of the government elected directly by voters of the nation-at-large.
During presidential elections, political parties have the option to put forward a candidate for election, when multiple candidate are put forward, a majority vote is rarely reached. When this occurs, a second election is held, this runoff election is between the two candidates who received the most votes in the prior election.
As the only nationally elected official, the president often speaks for the country as a whole. The first president of the Fifth Republic, was the widely known WWII hero, Charles de Gaulle. He once summed up his position in a speech given in 1962 "the indivisible authority of the state is completely delegated to him by the people who elected him.
The president of France is responsible for negotiating treaties, appointing high officials, and acting as a chair of the high councils of the armed forces. Also the president has two additional special powers; 1) the right to appeal directly to the people by means of a referendum and 2) dictatorial powers in times of national crisis. In 1962, Charles de Gaulle ordered a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment providing for the direct election of a president, as opposed to the electoral college. This was approved with a 62 percent majority.
The president also maintains contact with the legislative branch of the French government through a premier, whom he appoints. The premier names ministers who in turn form the cabinet. Together they conduct the day-to-day affairs of the government. The premier and cabinet are responsible to the National Assembly, but unlike the parliamentary system of Great Britain, the premier and cabinet are not members of the National Assembly, they do however sit in the Assembly and defend their programs.
The premier and the cabinet answer to the president and the president makes sure they continue to guide his programs by holding regular meetings with them.
Under the constitution, the president also has the power to dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections. This power is used by the president when he loses the support of the National Assembly. Even the threat of this power forces deputies to accept the president's political leadership.
The Role of the Cabinet
Before the constitution of 1958, cabinet ministers were chosen from the legislature, as in Great Britain. When they left the cabinet, they returned to their seats in the legislature. Today legislators who become cabinet members must resign from their legislative chairs, late when they leave the cabinet, later when they leave the cabinet, they cannot return to their former seats until they are reelected. This prevents former cabinet members from returning to the legislature as part of the opposition that tries to bring down the government.
The cabinet maintains strict control of the legislative process; the cabinet sets the agenda for the legislature, and all bills introduced by cabinet ministers take precedence over other matters.
The government can also declare a vote on important bill to be a "matter of confidence." This bill is then automatically made a law unless the National Assembly passes a motion of censure against the government. If this motion is passed, if forces the government to resign.
The French Legislature
French legislature, like British legislature, is called Parliament, which is a bicameral body, consisting of the National Assembly; the lower house, and the Senate; the upper house.
French parliament meets for two sessions each year. The first session lasts for 80 days and begins in October. The second session begins in April and cannot last more than 90 days. This limits parliament to less than 6 months of meetings, limiting the legislative role.
The Legislators
The National Assembly consists of 577 members elected for 5 year terms. Members may face reelection if the National Assembly dissolves before their terms expire.
Electoral colleges select 321 Senators for 9 year terms, their role in the legislative process is limited to delaying legislation.
Powers of Parliament
The current constitution of France limits the legislative branch. Parliament may pass legislation only on matter specified in the constitution; civil rights, election procedures, criminal procedure and national defense. Matters not specified in the constitution are allowed to be passed by the executive without the approval of Parliament.
For a bill to be passed in France, it must be passed by both houses of Parliament and signed by the president. When both houses pass different versions of the same bill, the premier appoints a committee to work out a compromise. If a compromise cannot be reached, the government has the right to ask the National Assembly to make the final decision, in this case a bill is passed as a law without the Senate's approval.
The National Assembly also has some control over the executive branch; while the president has the power to name the premier, only the Assembly has the power to remove the premier.
Political Parties
Although France still has many small political parties, the constitution of 1958 encouraged small parties to combine into larger parties.
France's major parties can be grouped according to whether they are left wing or right wing. On the left are the socialists and communists, to the right are the Gaullists and the Union for French Democracy (UFD) of Valery Giscard d'Estaing. Recent development has brought most of the major parties close to the center of the spectrum.
All political parties are represented within the National Assembly.
French Local Government
The unitary French government does not share its power with local governments. France has one of the most highly centralized governments of all the democracies in Europe.
France is divided into 96 departments, or territories. The national government in Paris appoints a commissioner to administer each department.
France is very similar to Great Britain in the fact that both Great Britain and France are unitary states. However France's government also resembles the United States government, as France is a republic. Despite this, France has many defining unique characteristics. Up until 1958, when France adopted its present constitution, political power in France was very divided. France has undergone much political transition under many forms of government. Today France's government is referred to as the Fifth Republic, but since 1791, France has had four other republics and 16 separate constitutions, 2 of which never applied.
France's political turmoil was especially great during the Third and Fourth Republics due to the distribution of power; the chief executive had very limited power while the more powerful legislation was divided among a fairly large number of competing political parties.
Before 1958, France was divided among a number of large political parties, and a dozen smaller parties, this political division ran very deeply, and made it nearly impossible to create a stable government based on compromise it was difficult for any party to gain enough power to create a unifying political policy or government. Between 1946 and 1958, France had 27 different governments, in which the lifespan of these governments lasted less than 6 months.
The President's Powers
Until the Fifth Republic, France's president had very little power and acted as a ceremonial figurehead, much like the monarchs of Great Britain. When the new constitution of 1958 was adopted, it transformed the role of the president from figurehead, into the most powerful position in the French government. Today the France's presidents serve 7 year terms, and are the only member of the government elected directly by voters of the nation-at-large.
During presidential elections, political parties have the option to put forward a candidate for election, when multiple candidate are put forward, a majority vote is rarely reached. When this occurs, a second election is held, this runoff election is between the two candidates who received the most votes in the prior election.
As the only nationally elected official, the president often speaks for the country as a whole. The first president of the Fifth Republic, was the widely known WWII hero, Charles de Gaulle. He once summed up his position in a speech given in 1962 "the indivisible authority of the state is completely delegated to him by the people who elected him.
The president of France is responsible for negotiating treaties, appointing high officials, and acting as a chair of the high councils of the armed forces. Also the president has two additional special powers; 1) the right to appeal directly to the people by means of a referendum and 2) dictatorial powers in times of national crisis. In 1962, Charles de Gaulle ordered a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment providing for the direct election of a president, as opposed to the electoral college. This was approved with a 62 percent majority.
The president also maintains contact with the legislative branch of the French government through a premier, whom he appoints. The premier names ministers who in turn form the cabinet. Together they conduct the day-to-day affairs of the government. The premier and cabinet are responsible to the National Assembly, but unlike the parliamentary system of Great Britain, the premier and cabinet are not members of the National Assembly, they do however sit in the Assembly and defend their programs.
The premier and the cabinet answer to the president and the president makes sure they continue to guide his programs by holding regular meetings with them.
Under the constitution, the president also has the power to dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections. This power is used by the president when he loses the support of the National Assembly. Even the threat of this power forces deputies to accept the president's political leadership.
The Role of the Cabinet
Before the constitution of 1958, cabinet ministers were chosen from the legislature, as in Great Britain. When they left the cabinet, they returned to their seats in the legislature. Today legislators who become cabinet members must resign from their legislative chairs, late when they leave the cabinet, later when they leave the cabinet, they cannot return to their former seats until they are reelected. This prevents former cabinet members from returning to the legislature as part of the opposition that tries to bring down the government.
The cabinet maintains strict control of the legislative process; the cabinet sets the agenda for the legislature, and all bills introduced by cabinet ministers take precedence over other matters.
The government can also declare a vote on important bill to be a "matter of confidence." This bill is then automatically made a law unless the National Assembly passes a motion of censure against the government. If this motion is passed, if forces the government to resign.
The French Legislature
French legislature, like British legislature, is called Parliament, which is a bicameral body, consisting of the National Assembly; the lower house, and the Senate; the upper house.
French parliament meets for two sessions each year. The first session lasts for 80 days and begins in October. The second session begins in April and cannot last more than 90 days. This limits parliament to less than 6 months of meetings, limiting the legislative role.
The Legislators
The National Assembly consists of 577 members elected for 5 year terms. Members may face reelection if the National Assembly dissolves before their terms expire.
Electoral colleges select 321 Senators for 9 year terms, their role in the legislative process is limited to delaying legislation.
Powers of Parliament
The current constitution of France limits the legislative branch. Parliament may pass legislation only on matter specified in the constitution; civil rights, election procedures, criminal procedure and national defense. Matters not specified in the constitution are allowed to be passed by the executive without the approval of Parliament.
For a bill to be passed in France, it must be passed by both houses of Parliament and signed by the president. When both houses pass different versions of the same bill, the premier appoints a committee to work out a compromise. If a compromise cannot be reached, the government has the right to ask the National Assembly to make the final decision, in this case a bill is passed as a law without the Senate's approval.
The National Assembly also has some control over the executive branch; while the president has the power to name the premier, only the Assembly has the power to remove the premier.
Political Parties
Although France still has many small political parties, the constitution of 1958 encouraged small parties to combine into larger parties.
France's major parties can be grouped according to whether they are left wing or right wing. On the left are the socialists and communists, to the right are the Gaullists and the Union for French Democracy (UFD) of Valery Giscard d'Estaing. Recent development has brought most of the major parties close to the center of the spectrum.
All political parties are represented within the National Assembly.
French Local Government
The unitary French government does not share its power with local governments. France has one of the most highly centralized governments of all the democracies in Europe.
France is divided into 96 departments, or territories. The national government in Paris appoints a commissioner to administer each department.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Overview
In 1949, communist revolutionaries seized power in China, the world's most populated nation. Led by Mao Zedong , communist forces defeated the Nationalists who fled to the safety of Taiwan, where they remain today. Following the Soviet Union, the Chinese leaders proceeded to establish a totalitarian government strictly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in much the same way that the Soviet Communist party once controlled the Soviet Union.
China's Political Background
China divided into factions following its establishment as a republic in 1912. Some measure of political unity was not established until 1929. The Nationalist party, under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, defeated its rivals and gained at least partial control of the nation. Although rival regimes still existed, particularly in the north where the Communists had taken refuge. Unity was not achieved until Japan invaded China in the 1930's. This invasion brought the rival factions together to defend their country.
After Japans defeat in World War II, a civil war broke out in China between the Nationalists and the Communists. After intense fighting Communists drove the Nationalists out of mainland China and established their dictatorship, the People's Republic of China (PRC). The Nationalists, then firmly in power in Taiwan and supported by the United States, continued their claim to be the only legitimate Chinese government. In 1971, however, the United Nations dismissed this claim, and the General Assembly agreed that the members of the delegation form the PRC were "the only legitimate representatives of China." The United States agreed with the position after President Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China in 1972. However, seven years passed before the United States formally recognized the PRC in January 1979.
The Chinese Communist Party
The Communist Party in China controls the policies and the operation of the government. Despite recent upheavals in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, in the PRC the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its leaders remain firmly in control.
The Party's Role in China
Although the CCP is not an official party of the government, it determines governmental policies and ensures that the government carries out the party's policies and decisions. At every level, officials referred to as cadre, hold key posts. Most of these are party members, however only about 4 percent of the Chinese population actually belong to the Communist party.
At one time the CCP attempted to follow the Soviet Union's pattern of party and government organization, but abandoned this policy in party in 1958. After this the CCP and the government moved to create a truly Chinese political system while retaining a devotion to communism under the slogan "socialism with Chinese characteristics."
Party Organization
in 1982 China adopted 2 new constitutions; the first for the party and the second for the national government. Hypothetically, under its new constitutions, the Communist party's highest governing body is the National Party Congress, composed of between 1,500 and 2,000 delegates. Members of party organizations across the nation select these delegates. In practice, however, the National Party Congress merely serves as a rubber stamp for policies of the party's leaders.
The National Party Congress does, however, elect the party's Central Committee that serves in place of the Congress when it's not in session. The number of members of the Central Committee is between 200 and300 full and alternate members. Its major responsibility is to elect the members of the party's Political Bereau-- the Politiburo. The Politburo usually is composed of about 20 top party leaders.
The Politiburo's Standing Committee, which functions when the full Politiburo is not meeting, is even more elitist and is composed of the top six CCP leaders. The Politiburo's Standing Committee appoints members of the Secretariat, who then implement party policies by supervising the daily activities of the party. The CCP has also has various organizations that carry out special functions under the direction of the Secretariat.
At the top of the CCP, and presumably the most powerful party leader, is the General Secretary who may or may not be a prominent government official as well. Many members of the Politiburo hold top government posts. Politiburo member Li Peng also serves as China's premier. From the late 1970's to the 1990's the unquestioned leader of China was Den Xioping, who held no official government or party position. Leadership in China often may rest upon background rather than upon position.
China's preeminent leaader, Den Xiophing, embraced communism while studying France during the early 1920's and later served in the battles against the Nationalists in the 1930's. Among the less than 12 other older but still important revolutionary veterans, Deng Xioping, in his late 80's. seemed reluctant to pass on his power to younger leaders.
China's National Government
Over the years the People's Republic of China has had several state constitutions. The one that the PRC operates under today was adopted in 1982. The new constitution is designed to enable China to realize the Four Modernizations, a program that calls for modernization in the fields of agriculture, industry, science and technology, and national defense. The final goal is to achieve a stable and relatively advanced industrialized nation by the end of the century.
The 1982 constitution calls the Chinese Communist party the "core of the leadership of the whole Chinese people," while it describes the nation as "led by the Communist Party." It adds, "The Chinese people will continue to uphold the people's democratic dictatorship and socialist road." In reality the government operates under the direction and leadership of the CCP.
The National People's Congress (NPC)
The NCP was established by the constitution and is identified as "the highest organ of state power." The NCP has little real power, however, often functions as little more than the legislative branch of government. It sends official policies down to the lower branches of government at the province, county, or municipal levels, which are expected to implement the policies.
Supposedly, the nation's legislative power rests with the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee that serves when the NPC is not in session. The NCP and its Standing Committee have little independent legislative power. Many of the leaders of the Standing committee do hold important leadership posts in the Communist party that actually decides on the government's actions and policies. In reality, the NCP serves as a symbol if citizen participation in the nation's government when it selects the country's ceremonial president and vice president and the premier who presides over the State Council.
The State Council
In China the State Council carries out the same functions as that a cabinet or council of ministers carries out in other nations. Although the Sate Council is supposedly responsible to the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee, it answers to the CCP's Politiburo. Most of the leaders in the State Council also hold high posts in the CCP.
The State Council, which meets about once a month, operates as the executive branch of the government. It makes decisions, prepares legislation for the National People's Congress, determines the nation's budget, and ensures the Communist party's policies are followed. The State Council's Standing Committee headed by the premier carries out most of these functions, however. The Standing Committee meets several times each week and carries out the day-by-day decision-making process for the government.
Political Parties
Although the Chinese Communist party dominates the government in China, it permits eight minority parties to exist. These are largely made up of people from China's middle-class or of intellectuals--a term that often also includes students. These parties are expected to work under the leadership of the communist party. An opposition party, the Federation for a Democratic China (FDC) was fomred in Paris following the Chinese government's massacre of protesters in Tiananmane Square in the hear of Beijing, China's capital city, in 1989.
1989: Massacre in Tiananmen Square
June 4, 1989
Several hundred civilians have been shot dead by the Chinese army during a bloody military operation to crush a democratic protest in Peking's (Beijing) Tiananmen Square.
Tanks rumbled through the capital's streets late on 3 June as the army moved into the square from several directions, randomly firing on unarmed protesters.
The injured were rushed to hospital on bicycle rickshaws by frantic residents shocked by the army's sudden and extreme response to the peaceful mass protest.
Demonstrators, mainly students, had occupied the square for seven weeks, refusing to move until their demands for democratic reform were met.
The protests began with a march by students in memory of former party leader Hu Yaobang, who had died a week before.
But as the days passed, millions of people from all walks of life joined in, angered by widespread corruption and calling for democracy.
Tonight's military offensive came after several failed attempts to persuade the protesters to leave.
Throughout the day the government warned it would do whatever it saw necessary to clamp down on what it described as "social chaos".
But even though violence was expected, the ferocity of the attack took many by surprise, bringing condemnation from around the world.
US President George Bush said he deeply deplored the use of force, and UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said she was "shocked and appalled by the shootings".
Amid the panic and confusion students could be heard shouting "fascists stop killing," and "down with the government".
At a nearby children's hospital operating theatres were filled with casualties with gunshot wounds, many of them local residents who were not taking part in the protests.
Early this morning at least 30 more were killed in two volleys of gunfire, which came without warning. Terrified crowds fled, leaving bodies in the road.
Meanwhile reports have emerged of troops searching the main Peking university campus for ringleaders, beating and killing those they suspect of co-ordinating the protests.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uieND7g2ye0
In 1949, communist revolutionaries seized power in China, the world's most populated nation. Led by Mao Zedong , communist forces defeated the Nationalists who fled to the safety of Taiwan, where they remain today. Following the Soviet Union, the Chinese leaders proceeded to establish a totalitarian government strictly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in much the same way that the Soviet Communist party once controlled the Soviet Union.
China's Political Background
China divided into factions following its establishment as a republic in 1912. Some measure of political unity was not established until 1929. The Nationalist party, under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, defeated its rivals and gained at least partial control of the nation. Although rival regimes still existed, particularly in the north where the Communists had taken refuge. Unity was not achieved until Japan invaded China in the 1930's. This invasion brought the rival factions together to defend their country.
After Japans defeat in World War II, a civil war broke out in China between the Nationalists and the Communists. After intense fighting Communists drove the Nationalists out of mainland China and established their dictatorship, the People's Republic of China (PRC). The Nationalists, then firmly in power in Taiwan and supported by the United States, continued their claim to be the only legitimate Chinese government. In 1971, however, the United Nations dismissed this claim, and the General Assembly agreed that the members of the delegation form the PRC were "the only legitimate representatives of China." The United States agreed with the position after President Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China in 1972. However, seven years passed before the United States formally recognized the PRC in January 1979.
The Chinese Communist Party
The Communist Party in China controls the policies and the operation of the government. Despite recent upheavals in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, in the PRC the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its leaders remain firmly in control.
The Party's Role in China
Although the CCP is not an official party of the government, it determines governmental policies and ensures that the government carries out the party's policies and decisions. At every level, officials referred to as cadre, hold key posts. Most of these are party members, however only about 4 percent of the Chinese population actually belong to the Communist party.
At one time the CCP attempted to follow the Soviet Union's pattern of party and government organization, but abandoned this policy in party in 1958. After this the CCP and the government moved to create a truly Chinese political system while retaining a devotion to communism under the slogan "socialism with Chinese characteristics."
Party Organization
in 1982 China adopted 2 new constitutions; the first for the party and the second for the national government. Hypothetically, under its new constitutions, the Communist party's highest governing body is the National Party Congress, composed of between 1,500 and 2,000 delegates. Members of party organizations across the nation select these delegates. In practice, however, the National Party Congress merely serves as a rubber stamp for policies of the party's leaders.
The National Party Congress does, however, elect the party's Central Committee that serves in place of the Congress when it's not in session. The number of members of the Central Committee is between 200 and300 full and alternate members. Its major responsibility is to elect the members of the party's Political Bereau-- the Politiburo. The Politburo usually is composed of about 20 top party leaders.
The Politiburo's Standing Committee, which functions when the full Politiburo is not meeting, is even more elitist and is composed of the top six CCP leaders. The Politiburo's Standing Committee appoints members of the Secretariat, who then implement party policies by supervising the daily activities of the party. The CCP has also has various organizations that carry out special functions under the direction of the Secretariat.
At the top of the CCP, and presumably the most powerful party leader, is the General Secretary who may or may not be a prominent government official as well. Many members of the Politiburo hold top government posts. Politiburo member Li Peng also serves as China's premier. From the late 1970's to the 1990's the unquestioned leader of China was Den Xioping, who held no official government or party position. Leadership in China often may rest upon background rather than upon position.
China's preeminent leaader, Den Xiophing, embraced communism while studying France during the early 1920's and later served in the battles against the Nationalists in the 1930's. Among the less than 12 other older but still important revolutionary veterans, Deng Xioping, in his late 80's. seemed reluctant to pass on his power to younger leaders.
China's National Government
Over the years the People's Republic of China has had several state constitutions. The one that the PRC operates under today was adopted in 1982. The new constitution is designed to enable China to realize the Four Modernizations, a program that calls for modernization in the fields of agriculture, industry, science and technology, and national defense. The final goal is to achieve a stable and relatively advanced industrialized nation by the end of the century.
The 1982 constitution calls the Chinese Communist party the "core of the leadership of the whole Chinese people," while it describes the nation as "led by the Communist Party." It adds, "The Chinese people will continue to uphold the people's democratic dictatorship and socialist road." In reality the government operates under the direction and leadership of the CCP.
The National People's Congress (NPC)
The NCP was established by the constitution and is identified as "the highest organ of state power." The NCP has little real power, however, often functions as little more than the legislative branch of government. It sends official policies down to the lower branches of government at the province, county, or municipal levels, which are expected to implement the policies.
Supposedly, the nation's legislative power rests with the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee that serves when the NPC is not in session. The NCP and its Standing Committee have little independent legislative power. Many of the leaders of the Standing committee do hold important leadership posts in the Communist party that actually decides on the government's actions and policies. In reality, the NCP serves as a symbol if citizen participation in the nation's government when it selects the country's ceremonial president and vice president and the premier who presides over the State Council.
The State Council
In China the State Council carries out the same functions as that a cabinet or council of ministers carries out in other nations. Although the Sate Council is supposedly responsible to the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee, it answers to the CCP's Politiburo. Most of the leaders in the State Council also hold high posts in the CCP.
The State Council, which meets about once a month, operates as the executive branch of the government. It makes decisions, prepares legislation for the National People's Congress, determines the nation's budget, and ensures the Communist party's policies are followed. The State Council's Standing Committee headed by the premier carries out most of these functions, however. The Standing Committee meets several times each week and carries out the day-by-day decision-making process for the government.
Political Parties
Although the Chinese Communist party dominates the government in China, it permits eight minority parties to exist. These are largely made up of people from China's middle-class or of intellectuals--a term that often also includes students. These parties are expected to work under the leadership of the communist party. An opposition party, the Federation for a Democratic China (FDC) was fomred in Paris following the Chinese government's massacre of protesters in Tiananmane Square in the hear of Beijing, China's capital city, in 1989.
1989: Massacre in Tiananmen Square
June 4, 1989
Several hundred civilians have been shot dead by the Chinese army during a bloody military operation to crush a democratic protest in Peking's (Beijing) Tiananmen Square.
Tanks rumbled through the capital's streets late on 3 June as the army moved into the square from several directions, randomly firing on unarmed protesters.
The injured were rushed to hospital on bicycle rickshaws by frantic residents shocked by the army's sudden and extreme response to the peaceful mass protest.
Demonstrators, mainly students, had occupied the square for seven weeks, refusing to move until their demands for democratic reform were met.
The protests began with a march by students in memory of former party leader Hu Yaobang, who had died a week before.
But as the days passed, millions of people from all walks of life joined in, angered by widespread corruption and calling for democracy.
Tonight's military offensive came after several failed attempts to persuade the protesters to leave.
Throughout the day the government warned it would do whatever it saw necessary to clamp down on what it described as "social chaos".
But even though violence was expected, the ferocity of the attack took many by surprise, bringing condemnation from around the world.
US President George Bush said he deeply deplored the use of force, and UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said she was "shocked and appalled by the shootings".
Amid the panic and confusion students could be heard shouting "fascists stop killing," and "down with the government".
At a nearby children's hospital operating theatres were filled with casualties with gunshot wounds, many of them local residents who were not taking part in the protests.
Early this morning at least 30 more were killed in two volleys of gunfire, which came without warning. Terrified crowds fled, leaving bodies in the road.
Meanwhile reports have emerged of troops searching the main Peking university campus for ringleaders, beating and killing those they suspect of co-ordinating the protests.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uieND7g2ye0
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
MY OPINION
For the United States to remain a major political power in the world, the United States must continually be aware of the other powerful nations in the world. It is important for us as Americans to understand our government and to realize not only how lucky we are to live in a nation where we are protected by a living constitution and the Bill of Rights but also to understand the political power we hold within our own government.
Understanding the political growth and doctrines of other countries allows the United States to evolve and to also be aware of political and humanitarian issues faced in other countries.
In my opinion, comparing United States political policies, our constitution, the court system...etc to other countries, allows us to continually grow to best serve the citizens of our nation, and to help the people of developing countries.
Understanding the political growth and doctrines of other countries allows the United States to evolve and to also be aware of political and humanitarian issues faced in other countries.
In my opinion, comparing United States political policies, our constitution, the court system...etc to other countries, allows us to continually grow to best serve the citizens of our nation, and to help the people of developing countries.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. "20 Years After Tiananmen, Tank-man Still Mystery - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .
2. "BBC ON THIS DAY | 4 | 1989: Massacre in Tiananmen Square." BBC News - Home. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .
3. "Government Quotes - BrainyQuote." Famous Quotes at BrainyQuote. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .
4. "The Parliamentary Procedure for Making an Act of Parliament: David Natzler from the House of Commons - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .
5. "U.S. Government, Democracy in Action, Glencoe, 2002 -03." Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)