Source of Power and Authority
What is the name of China’s ruling political party?
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
What is the name of China’s national legislature?
The National People’s Congress (NPC)
What type of political system does China use?
One-party system
How does nationalism shape China's political culture?
Nationalism fosters unity and support for the CCP, especially in matters of territorial integrity and sovereignty.
What is the Belt and Road Initiative?
A project where China builds roads, ports, and bridges in other countries
What role does the Chinese Constitution play in legitimizing the authority of the CCP?
It sets the CCP as central to the state
Which body is the most powerful decision-making authority in China?
The Politburo Standing Committee (PSC)
How does the CCP control candidate nominations in elections?
The CCP pre-approves all candidates, ensuring alignment with party policies and preventing opposition
How does the CCP use education to influence political culture?
The CCP incorporates its ideology into the education system to cultivate loyalty and align citizens with party values.
What are Special Economic Zones (SEZs)?
Areas where China allows more trade and foreign business
How does the role of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) reinforce the CCP's political authority?
The PLA is under Party—not state—control, reinforcing the CCP's monopoly on coercive power.
How is the executive branch of China structured?
the executive consists of a president and a premier . The premier is the head of government and has the power to oversee the actions of the State Council , which is the cabinet that leads the formal bureaucracy
How does the CCP manage civil society organizations?
The CCP regulates NGOs and other organizations, requiring registration and adherence to party guidelines.
How does censorship help the CCP stay in power?
It keeps people from spreading protest ideas or learning about government mistakes.
What kind of economic system does China use today
China has a mixed economy—the government still controls major industries, but it allows private businesses and market forces
How does the Chinese government use its achievements—like growing the economy and reducing poverty—to justify its right to rule?
The government points to things like fast economic growth, better living conditions, and less poverty to show it is doing a good job. This helps convince people that the Chinese Communist Party should stay in power.
Does the Chinese court system use rule of law or rule by law
rule by law
What mechanisms does the CCP use to suppress dissent in civil society?
The CCP employs censorship, surveillance, and legal actions to control and suppress dissenting voices.
How has economic growth helped the Chinese Communist Party maintain legitimacy?
By improving living standards, reducing poverty, and creating jobs, the CCP shows it can deliver results, which justifies its continued rule.
Explain how Xi Jinping’s abolition of term limits in 2018 reflects a shift in China’s source of legitimacy.
It shows that power is becoming more centered on one leader instead of being shared. It undermines institutions, moving legitimacy from collective leadership to centralized authority.
How does the lack of separation between the CCP and the state affect decision-making?
Decisions are made quickly because the Party controls all institutions, but there are few checks on power.