The Policy-Making Process

POSC 215 Part V Kesselman, pgs. 653-658, C:CP27-12 THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS

True or False Questions

1. The decentralization of power that has accompanied economic reform has given provincial and local governments a lot more clout in the policy process in China. True or False

2. In spite of the economic reforms in China, institutions such as nonparty experts, the media, outside the party apparatus continue to exhibit little to no-voice in the policy making process. True or False

3. The current party leadership is a balance between two major coalitions, the “elitists” who give priority to rapid economic growth and investment in China’s major cities, and the “populists” who believe that more attention needs to be paid to the consequences of growth, such as urban-rural inequality and environmental degradation. True or False

4. As China has moved in the direction of a capitalist, free market economy, it no longer proclaims it is following communist ideology and its goal is to create a socialist China. True or False

5. In the CCP’s view this is superior to democracy in capitalist countries where wealthy individuals and corporations dominate politics and policy-making despite multiparty politics. True or False

6. Although power in China is highly concentrated in the hands of the top Communist Party leaders, representation and participation do play important, if limited, roles in China’s political system. True or False

7. On paper, the National People’s Congress is assigned a significant amount of powers, but the fact remains that such powers can only be implemented with the permission of the Communist Party. True or False

8. The chair of the National People’s Congress does not have to be a member of the CCP. True or False

9. Deputies of the National People's Congress are full-time legislators, planning and directing the agenda when they meet again. True or False

10. The NPC never deals with sensitive political issues with the CCP monitoring the election process to assure that only acceptable members are allowed into that body. True or False

11. As economics has replaced ideology as the main motivation of China’s leaders, the NPC has become more independent and is serving as a way to check executive power. True or False

12. In spite of the fact that China has adopted a free-market economy, it still refuses to allow private business owners and entrepreneurs to join the CCP. True or False

27-1 13. In the two most powerful political institutions in China, the Politburo and the Standing Committee, women represent about 30 percent of the members. True or False

14. Even though many Chinese believe that communist ideology is irrelevant to their lives and the nation’s future, being a party member still provides unparalleled access to inﬂuence and resources. True or False

15. New political parties are allowed to form in communist China by simply registering with the proper authorities. True or False

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Guanxi: a) giving a bribe to an official for a favor, b) a special soup prepared for CCP leaders, c) connections or relationships between individuals, d) being accepted into the CCP hierarchy.

2. The following refers to China’s policy-making system as: a) a simple top-down decision-making structure, b) fragmented authoritarianism, c) a pluralistic model, d) horizontally formulated.

3. China's political system is officially referred to as: a) party democracy, b) Communist democracy, c) socialist democracy, d) centralized democracy.

4. The constitution of China grants the following the power to enact and amend the country's laws, approve and monitor the state budget, and declare and end war: a) the central committee, b) the Politburo, c) the Chinese Communist Party, d) the National People's Congress.

5. Who makes up the largest contingent of deputies in the National People’s Congress? a) workers and farmers, b) intellectuals and professionals, c) government and party cadres, d) military.

6. What issue was raised in 2002 at the NPC meeting and finally passed in 2007, with strident debates about its viability in a Communist system? a) protection for gay and lesbian rights, b) allowing religious organizations to join the CCP, c) a property rights law, d) some level of freedom of the press.

7. What is meant that legislatures in communist party-states are often called “rubber stamps?” a) They are flexible, like a rubber band, adapting to changes in society and when necessary, b) They automatically and without question approve party policies, c) They apply stamps with rubber glue to the policy initiatives that are implemented, d) They enjoy the confidence of the people in formulating public policy.

8. About how many members currently comprise the Chinese Communist Party out of a population of 1.3 billion people? a) 25 million, b) 36 million, c) 54 million, d) 80 million.

9. What percent of CCP membership is comprised of women? a) 10%, b) 13%, c) 16%, d) 21%

27-2 10. What is the primary function of the non-communist parties of China? a) to offer an alternative to communist rule, b) to challenge policies that are detrimental to their constituents, c) to offer advice and generate support to the communist party, d) to build a strong opposition base for a future truly democratic system in China.

11. How many non-Communist political parties are allowed to exist in China today? a) 5, b) 8, c) 13, d) 16

12. What happened to a group of former Tiananmen Square protesters that tried to form and register a new China Democratic Party in 1998? a) their party was legally acknowledged and allowed to organize and quickly added a large membership, b) they attempted to form a party that the people of China ignored and it quickly died, c) they were arrested, given stiff prison sentences, and the party banned, d) the party was allowed to function legally and became popular in some of the major cities only with a small constituency.

Fill-in Questions

1. What are some of the powers of the National People's Congress? a) It has the power to elect and recall the ______and the ______of the PRC, b) the ______of the Central Military Commission, c) the head of China's ______, d) the Procurator ______, e) and has final approval over the selection of the premier and members of the ______.

2. The National People’s Congress: a) is a ______legislature with nearly _____ members (called “deputies”) b) who meet only for about ____ weeks every March.

3. Joining the Communist Party is a time-consuming process that can last as long as two years and involves: a) a lengthy ______, b) ______, c) ______, d) a ______check, e) and a ______period.

Answers True or False Questions

1. True 3. True 5. True 7. True 9. False

27-3 11. False 13. False 15. False

Multiple Choice Questions

1. c 3. c 5. c 7. b 9. a 11. b

Fill-in Questions

1. a) president, vice president, b) chair, c) Supreme Court, d) General, State Council 3. a) application, b) interviews, c) references, d) background, e) probation