Is China a Model for Russia? Comparing Dominant and One-Party Systems

1. 2010 Advanced Placement Annual Conference AP Comparative Government & Politics Is China a Model for Russia? Comparing Dominant and One-Party Systems Jean C. Robinson, Chief Reader, AP Comp GoPo Professor of Political Science, Indiana University robinso@indiana.edu

2. “Everyone here sees China as the model, since Russia is not the model.” D. Kosyrev Wang Jianwei/Xinhua SOURCE: New York Times October 18, 2009

3. Learning outcomes : •  We will discuss key factorsfor distinguishing among different types of party and party systems and develop methods for teaching these distinctions to students. •  We will develop analytic categoriesfor determining whether China might be a model for Russia, by comparing how different kinds of party systems might be more effective with regard  to efficiency, corruption, and meeting social needs. •  You will be provided with some data on measures of party membership, stability, economic growth, and corruption for both countries, and then design student assignmentsthat use the measures to compare the party systems, paying special attention to multi party, dominant party and single party systems.

4. What is it that Russian leaders see as admirable about Chinese party system? • And what can this tell us about ways to compare teach and compare political parties? • Party System Typologies • Two party • Multi Party • One Party (dominant party)

5. Two Party and Multi Party Systems • Two Party: • two political parties dominant to such an extent that electoral success under the banner of a third party is almost impossible. Often the breadth of representation of political values and ideologies is limited, and often the political stances of the two parties converge on some shared consensus. • Multi Party: • systems in which more than two parties compete, represent diverse political interests, and are elected to public office. Often such party systems result in coalition governments, and more intricate electoral systems (second ballots, e.g.)

6. Single and Dominant Party Systems • One Party: • single party is legally allowed to hold effective power. Although minor parties may sometimes be allowed, they are legally required to accept the leadership of the dominant party. • China: CCP • Dominant Party: • One strong party, that is not likely to be defeated, whether because of formal rules or informal practices. Opposition parties are allowed, and there may be even a deeply established democratic tradition, but other parties are generally considered to have no real chance of gaining power. • Russia and United Russia?

7. Why would Russia model China?The advantages of a dominant party or single party system • Greater control • Less cost (time, resources) • Greater policy/implemention efficiency • Other?

8. Comparing Parties & Party Systems • What other ways to compare? • Ideology • Structure • Size • Penetration • Competitiveness • Diffusion • Effectiveness

9. United Russia Party Characteristics in 2009-10

10. Chinese Communist Party Characteristics in 2009-10

11. Back to Comparing Parties & Party Systems An approach

12. Back to the USSR?

13. Questions & Contact Info Jean Robinson robinso@indiana.edu