FIRST LESSON NOTE POL 212 COMPARATIVE POLITICS 2025

 

POL 212 COMPARATIVE POLITICS

Comparative politics is a field in political science, characterized by an empirical approach based on the comparative method. In other words, comparative politics is the study of the domestic politics, political institutions, and conflicts of countries. It often involves comparisons among countries and through time within single countries, emphasizing key patterns of similarity and difference. When applied to specific fields of study, comparative politics may be referred to by other names, such as for example comparative government (the comparative study of forms of government) or comparative foreign policy (comparing the foreign policies of different States in order to establish general empirical connections between the characteristics of the State and the characteristics of its foreign policy).

Greek thinker Aristotle (circa 384 BCE to circa 322 BCE, is often cited as the father of comparative politics and political science. Aristotle compared the different political organizations he encountered in Athens, as well as those operating in other Greek city-states. In his analysis of these systems, he sought to discover what was good in a government and what was bad in a government so that what was learned could be used to improve the political process.

 

·         Sometimes, especially in the United States, the term "comparative politics" is used to refer to "the politics of foreign countries." This usage of the term, however, is often considered incorrect. "Comparative political science" as a general term for an area of study, as opposed to a methodology of study, can be seen as redundant. The political only shows as political when either an overt or tacit comparison is being made. The highest award in the discipline of Comparative Politics is the Karl Deutsch award, awarded by the International Political Science Association. So far, it has been given to Juan Linz (2003), Charles Tilly (2006), Giovanni Sartori (2009),  Alfred Stepan (2012) and Pippa Noris (2014), Rein Taagepera (2016)  Robert D (2018), Putnam, Jane Mansbridge (2021) John Coakley (2023)

 

 

CHINESE POLITICAL SYSTEM

The Chinese Communist Party is almost schizophrenic in its economic policies. China still maintains a communist society but, on the other hand, its economy is more capitalist than most European countries. Chinese country is the largest in the world by population and it is a nation of growing economic and political importance in global affairs, it is a political system rivaled in its opacity by the government of North Korea. Ever since the end of the civil war in 1949, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has ruled the country. The Party is over 89-million membership which makes it the biggest political party in the world.

 

The Constitution of the People’s Republic of China stipulates, “The system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China will continue and develop long into the future.” The system also includes prominent individuals without affiliation to any of the political parties (hereinafter referred to as “non-affiliates”). China has eight non communist parties. The eight democratic parties are: Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, China Democratic League, China National Democratic Construction Association, and China Association for Promoting Democracy, Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, China Zhi Gong Dang, Jiu San Society and Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League. Based on the principle of "long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, treating each other with sincerity and sharing each other's weal and woe," the democratic parties of China are different from the ruling party and the opposition party. They are under the leadership of the Communist Party, and devote themselves to the socialist construction (http://zw.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zgjj/202112/t20211216_10470539.htm)

China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Following the Opium War in 1840, China was reduced into a semi-colonial, semi-feudal state under the occupying Western capitalist powers and the failing feudal autocracy. People of insight tried tirelessly to find a way to salvage the nation – the Taiping Rebellion, the Self-Strengthening Movement, the Hundred Days’ Reform, and the Boxer Movement – but all failed in the end. The Revolution of 1911 led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen ended the feudal autocracy that had ruled China for more than 2,000 years, bringing tremendous change to society. But it failed to do away with the backward social system and failed to lift people out of misery.

The historic mission of national independence and the people’s liberation remained unfulfilled. The CPC was founded in 1921, at a time when China was facing grave dangers at home and abroad, trapped in a morass of social crises. Always retaining in the forefront of mind its founding mission – to seek happiness for the people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation – the CPC has succeeded in applying Marxist tenets to the Chinese context, rallying all the forces that can be combined to form an extensive united front. It has achieved many great feats that have drawn worldwide attention and ensured that the CPC and the people hold to the right path on the way forward. Over the course of a century, the CPC has, leading the Chinese people, made unprecedented achievements. These include:

By completing the New Democratic Revolution (1919-1949) and founding the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, it put an end to the semi-colonial, semi-feudal society of old China and realized national independence and the people’s liberation. By completing the socialist revolution and establishing socialism in China, it brought the most extensive and profound social change to the Chinese nation. By introducing the policy of reform and opening up, it has pioneered socialism with Chinese characteristics so that the people can enjoy a better life, and the nation can become stronger and have its status notably raised in the international community. By implementing the Five-sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy, it has ushered in a new era of Chinese socialism.

With these historic achievements and transformation in the cause of the CPC and the nation, China has stood up, become better off, and grown in strength. It can now look forward to the bright prospect of national rejuvenation. The CPC’s role in leading the country was confirmed and consolidated in the course of China’s revolution, economic development, and reform. It is the choice of history and of the people. By the end of 2019, CPC membership had reached 91.9 million. The non-CPC political parties were created and developed in the Chinese people’s fight to destroy imperialism and autocracy and pursue democracy. Their membership came from the national bourgeoisie, urban petty bourgeoisie, and intellectuals and other associated patriots. Under CPC leadership, these parties have participated in founding the PRC, reconstructing the country, advancing reform, and realizing the Chinese Dream. Together, they have committed themselves to the great cause of seeking national independence, the people’s liberation and wellbeing, and the prosperity of the country.

Currently, the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang consists mainly of people who have links with the KMT, have historical and social connections with the committee, or have relationships with Taiwan compatriots, along with specialists in social and legal affairs, and in business relating to agriculture, rural areas, and rural people. The party has a membership of more than 151,000.