Reference no: EM133994310

Question

China refers to itself as the People's Republic. As a country, China gained its republic status after the Qing Dynasty when it moved away from the imperial system and feudal autocracy. Democracy is considered the most legitimate form of government in the modern era. A true democracy should have elements of equality, freedom, and justice. While there are different types of democracies, including Parliamentary, Presidential, Consensus, and Majoritarian, they should all promote fundamental freedoms for the people. Conversely, authoritarianism is a type of government where the leadership does not change. Authoritarian regimes do not host meaningful elections, and the government primarily serves the needs of the elite. Authoritarianism serves the distinguished class but it strives to create the perception of legitimacy. Like democracy, there are various forms of authoritarianism, the most extreme being totalitarianism. The totalitarian style of government is based on complete and total control. It's fueled by propaganda and promotes repression. China is an interesting case study on internal perception versus external perception. China views itself as a democracy, while much of the Western world considers it communist with authoritarian elements. The Chinese Communist Party is the ruling party, but all legislation is controlled by the National People's Congress. The NPC is the sole branch of government in China and manages China's State Council and Supreme People's Court. The NPC is the largest legislative body in the world, and its members are elected by various local congresses. These democratic elements are why China considers itself a democracy. China is a juggernaut on the world stage. Its superpower status is solidified through its massive population, abundant natural resources, and manufacturing capabilities. The Western view of China is like that of Russia. Many Americans think China is ruled by an evil communist dictator who promotes high poverty rates and has little empathy for the ordinary citizen. China does have a disproportionate wage gap, with millions living in poverty, but so do India and the US. China's political structure has democratic elements, but I would not consider it a democracy. The Chinese Communist Party and President Xi push an agenda of geopolitics that doesn't necessarily benefit most citizens. Still, if the nation prospers, the people technically should as well. The NPC has been known to be at the will of the CCP and President Xi, even though they are the gatekeepers of legislation. China's authoritarian regime continues to move forward in its quest for world power and sells its brand of government as a for-the-people-by-the-people democracy. A concept that I'm not sure truly exists anymore.