Chinese Politics Part 1 – China and Political Science
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Course Summary
This course explores the politics of China, including its history, culture, and contemporary issues. Students will gain an understanding of Chinese political systems and institutions, as well as the challenges facing modern China.Key Learning Points
- Gain a deep understanding of Chinese politics and culture
- Learn about the history and evolution of Chinese political systems
- Explore contemporary issues facing modern China
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the unique characteristics of Chinese political systems and institutions
- Analyze the challenges and opportunities facing modern China
- Develop critical thinking and analysis skills
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic understanding of political systems
- Interest in Chinese politics and culture
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online self-paced course
- Video lectures
- Interactive quizzes and assignments
Similar Courses
- Chinese Culture and Contemporary China
- China and the Modern World: Globalization and the Future of Chinese Foreign Policy
- Chinese for Beginners
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Bill Bishop
- Kaiser Kuo
Related Books
Description
This course offers a conceptual framework for understanding China that highlights the intersection of politics and economics. It shows that rather than develop into a full blown market economy, state and party officials at all levels of the political system maintain significant influence in economic development. Such a “political” economy has had both positive and negative outcomes, which we will assess in detail. We also look at the origins, views, backgrounds and relations among leaders, and how those leaders make decisions about public policy and try to get those decisions implemented down through the system. China has few formal institutions through which citizens can participate in politics, but we will study the strategies Chinese people use to try to influence their leaders’ decisions. Finally, we assess China’s future and whether rapid economic development and the emergence of a vibrant middle class will push China towards greater democracy or whether the single party system is likely to survive into the future. The course is a quite useful background for Chinese Politics Part 2 – China and the World.
Outline
- Orientation and Module 1: Models of the Chinese Political System and the Structure of the Chinese Party/State
- Course Overview
- 1.1: Categorizing the System through Models
- 1.2: Bureaucratic Model and Chinese Politics
- 1.3: The Structure of the Political System
- 1.4: Key Party Structures
- 1.5: Government and the Party
- 1.6: China’s Legislature
- 1.7: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and China’s Military
- 1.8: CCP Controls the Judiciary
- Assignments and Grading
- Module 1 Required Pre-course Reading
- Module 1 Suggested Reading
- Quiz 1
- Module 2: Elite Politics in China
- 2.1: Elite Politics affects Economics and Business
- 2.2: Leadership Values, Structures of Conflict and Political Stability
- 2.3: Key Strategies for Elite Success and Elite Mobility in China
- 2.4: Selection of Leaders: What do we know?
- 2.5: Retired Leaders and the Succession Process
- 2.6: New Leaders Bring Policy Changes
- 2.7: Characteristics of Chinese Middle-level Leadership
- 2.8: Generations among Chinese Elites
- 2.9: International Experience of Top Chinese Leaders
- Module 2 Required Reading
- Quiz 2
- Module 3: Policy Process in China
- 3.1: Policy Process in Chinese Politics
- 3.2: The Politics of Policy Making in China
- 3.3: Selecting Policy Alternatives
- 3.4: Making the Decision
- 3.5: Social Interests and Policy Making
- 3.6: Policy Implementation through Campaigns
- 3.7: Local Response, Unintended Consequences and Policy Adjustment
- 3.8: Policy Failures and Successes
- Module 3 Course Reading
- Module 4: Understanding Societal Engagement in Politics in China
- 4.1: Political Culture in China
- 4.2: Political Culture as Empirically Measurable Variable
- 4.3: Political Culture in Rural China
- 4.4: Political Participation
- 4.5: Details on the Modes of Participation
- 4.6: Group Activity and Group Politics
- 4.7: Collective Action and Protest
- 4.8: Key Social Groups who Participate in Politics
- 4.9: Concluding the Modes of Participation
- Module 4 Course Reading
- Quiz 3
- Module 5: China’s Domestic and International Political Economy
- 5.1: Six Components of China's Political Economy
- 5.2: China’s Political Economy on the Eve of Reform
- 5.3: Impact of Reforms on China’s Political Economy
- 5.4: The Impact of Reform on Rural Income
- 5.5: China’s Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs), 1984-1994
- 5.6: Role of the Public Sector in China's Political Economy
- 5.7: Central-Local Financial Relations
- 5.8: China as a “Trading State”
- 5.9: Dilemmas of a “Trading State”
- 5.10: Chinese Firms “Going Out”
- Module 5 Course Reading
- Module 6: China’s Future: Democratization or “Flexible Authoritarianism”
- 6.1: China’s Future
- 6.2: Scenario 1: Political Development and Democratic Transition
- 6.3: Scenario 1: Further Forces for Political Development and Democratic Transition
- 6.4: Lessons from Scenarios of Democratic Transition
- 6.5: Scenario 2: Continued Market Leninism
- 6.6: Constraints on Society and Ideology
- 6.7: Xi Jinping’s Intense Attack on Corruption
- 6.8: Jiang Zemin’s “Three Representatives” and the Role of the Middle Class
- 6.9: Scenario 3: Collapse of the CCP
- 6.10: Sources of Political Instability
- 6.11: Inequality, Corruption and CCP Rule
- 6.12: Conclusion
- Module 6 Course Reading
- Quiz 4
- Final Exam and Course Evaluation
- Rate this course
- Final Exam
- Post-course Survey
Summary of User Reviews
The Chinese Politics course on Coursera has received positive reviews from users. Many students found the course to be informative and engaging. The course covers a wide range of topics related to Chinese politics, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the subject.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
The course is well-structured and provides a detailed overview of Chinese politics.Pros from User Reviews
- The course content is well-organized and easy to follow
- The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging
- The course provides a comprehensive overview of Chinese politics
- The course includes a variety of learning materials, including videos and readings
Cons from User Reviews
- Some students found the course to be too basic
- The course may not be suitable for those with advanced knowledge of Chinese politics
- The course requires a significant time commitment
David Zweig
4.8 Raiting
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This course offers a conceptual framework for understanding China that highlights the intersection of politics and economics. Course Overview video: https://youtu....
