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Chapter 9. Politics in China. Brief Background Info. President (head of state) is Hu Jintao Premier (head of government) is Wen Jiabao People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded by Mao Zedong ( Tse-tung ) He is credited with transforming a backward, agricultural area to modernization
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Chapter 9 Politics in China
Brief Background Info • President (head of state) is HuJintao • Premier (head of government) is WenJiabao • People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded by Mao Zedong (Tse-tung) • He is credited with transforming a backward, agricultural area to modernization • Established hope of prosperity among citizens
Present Day China • Communist party state (single party state) • Authoritarian but not totalitarian • Is not tolerant of challenges to power • Major focus is economic growth, but also reforming politically & socially • Legitimacy is based on economic performance
Current Challenges • Establishing a sense of nationalism • Economy • Membership in the World Trade Organization • Inequity among citizens
Sense of Nationalism • Attempting to build community through non-political activities (2008 Olympics)
Economy • Reforming to compete with world superpowers • Transition from communist to market-oriented • Large rate of foreign investment • “Iron Rice Bowl” (permanent, secure employment) is gone • Downsizing and layoffs are major issues
Membership in WTO • Domestic companies that cannot compete in world market are suffering high unemployment levels and going bankrupt • Benefits exporting businesses such as toys, clothes, etc.
Inequity Among Citizens • Rural citizens earn less than half of urban citizens