It is risible that Jiang Zemin (
It is likely that during the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 16th National Congress the "Three Represents Theory" will be enshrined alongside the reigning political dogma of Mao Zedong (
Essentially, Jiang has asserted that the CCP should recognize the need to broaden its power base by expanding beyond its traditional supporters among the bureaucrats, peasants and the working class. This means that the emergent middle class consisting of business owners and white-collar workers should be included.
This is pretty mild stuff to anyone who is from Planet Earth and living in the 21st Century! In fact, it is embarrassingly banal. Jiang's small-minded "theory" is being passed off as great thinking and is being treated as a breakthrough in Marxist governance. Yet it is little more than a simple notion that the party should represent "advanced productive forces, advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the broad masses of the people". This unremarkable set of notions is little more than a ploy to justify continued Communist rule while embracing the market economy.
In all events, there is little in it all that would surprise anyone with a modicum of knowledge of democracy. Most other East Asian governments except North Korea have embraced a much more ambitious version of pluralistic democracy. Even if such "ideals" become firmly entrenched, Beijing's system of governance will remain distantly primitive to that practiced in Taiwan.
Although limited by law to two terms, doubts remain that Jiang will go quietly despite the fact that a successor has already been anointed, albeit unofficially. Either way, the ongoing campaign that trumpets Jiang's contribution is meant to promote his influence whether he steps aside or chooses to accept a spontaneous acclaim for his continuation at the helm.
Given the retarded and repressed condition of China's political culture, a potential power struggle would not bode well for stability in the Middle Kingdom. It is well known that every major period of instability in the recent past was prompted by internal struggles to secure sinecures and power instead of battling over the ideological soul of the party. And so as a transfer of political power looms, it is not surprising that intrigues are being played out in the shadows of the halls of Zhongnanhai and will continue within the confines of the summer resort of Beidaihe.
With the upcoming political succession drawing attention, Communist leaders are trying to make the party a more inclusive autocracy. By broadening the party's popular base by including entrepreneurs and letting them make money, the Communist Party expects to remain in a unchallenged position of power.
While bereft of its communist ideology to validate its continued dominance, the Party has no intention to relinquish or reduce its grip on political power. Similarly, Jiang's proteges and flacks do not wish to see his or their position to be diminished. And so they are likely to push for the "Three Represents" to become part of the party constitution to consolidate Jiang's continued influence.
From the standpoint of the survival of the CCP, there is a need to shore up a weakening foundation. After two decades of free-market reforms have given rise to a small private sector and increased personal freedoms, there are various forces that threaten party dominance.
This also includes the effect of expanded links to globalized markets that will further weaken centralized authority. But please, give us something that reflects a modicum of political maturity rather than the infantile "discovery" of the truths held in the "Three Represents."
In all events, the Communist Party and its cadres represent a retrograde force that is holding back China's political development and modernization. Like an obstinate old bull, they are standing in the middle of a flowing stream making muddy and blocking what would otherwise be clear water with an obvious forward course.
Their insistence upon continued dominance of the political landscape denigrates China's great cultural heritage and serves as an embarrassment to Chinese everywhere.
Christopher Lingle is professor of economics at Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala and global strategist for eConoLytics.com.
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