POL SCI 140L Lecture Notes - Lecture 37: Monroe Doctrine, Paramount Leader, Conspicuous Consumption
26 Apr 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Is Market Leninism Politically Viable?
April 25, 2018
Dickson’s Thoughts
Consultative authoritarianism is replacing “totalitarianism”
● Liberalization: greater freedom to NGOs
○ Valuable service providers for some people who aren’t well-served by their
underfunded local govts (ex. Disabled people)
● Bolstering legitimacy by expanding delivery of public goods
● Paramount leader vs. institutionalization of leadership succession process
○ Concerned about social stability?
→ divided elite means defiance
Public Opinion in China
Dickson did extensive nationwide surveys in 2010 and 2014 and focus groups in 4 cities.
Does reversion to consultative authoritarianims result in legitimacy in the regime?
He found:
● Fear of political instability
○ Makes people risk-averse
○ Little sympathy for Tibet or Xinjian independence, for ex
● Deficit of legitimacy felt towards local govts
○ They are blamed for everything!
○ Really, they should be blaming central govt that doesn’t fund its big campaigns
● Vast majority feel their lives have gotten better and are optimistic
○ The better off people were, the higher their support of the regime
● Pride in country’s place in the world and cultural heritage
○ WANT to be citizens of the PRC
● BUT conspicuous consumption by children of elite and general corruption is corrosive for
support and trust in regime
→ it “breeds cynicism”
● People feel level of democracy is rising and will continue to do so
○ [typically older] citizens are happy with level of democracy
○ They believe the purpose of democracy is to strengthen the state
● Many educated males in the CCP show sympathy for reform
● “Censorship is more likely to be met with resignation than anger.” (BD, p 26)
● Role of self-confidence of officialdom:
○ fear for stability, but seem comfortable with according populace far more degrees
of freedom than were Soviet leaders before Gorbachev
More positives than negatives! Not bad…
But the negatives are really not great: corruption.
Regime has been promising that materially, you’ll live better
Document Summary
Valuable service providers for some people who aren"t well-served by their underfunded local govts (ex. Bolstering legitimacy by expanding delivery of public goods. Paramount leader vs. institutionalization of leadership succession process. Dickson did extensive nationwide surveys in 2010 and 2014 and focus groups in 4 cities. Little sympathy for tibet or xinjian independence, for ex. Deficit of legitimacy felt towards local govts. Really, they should be blaming central govt that doesn"t fund its big campaigns. Vast majority feel their lives have gotten better and are optimistic. The better off people were, the higher their support of the regime. Pride in country"s place in the world and cultural heritage. Want to be citizens of the prc. But conspicuous consumption by children of elite and general corruption is corrosive for support and trust in regime. People feel level of democracy is rising and will continue to do so. [typically older] citizens are happy with level of democracy.
