Suchergebnisse

Contrary to many doubts, the institutionalization of political leadership survived the succession process in China between 2002 and 2003. In 2004, Jiang Zemin attempted to override the institutionalized political leadership but was unsuccessful. These episodes demonstrate the level of political institutionalization that has been steadily undertaken since the reform and opening of China. After theoretically defining institutionalization as the first significant stage of political development, this article examines the current progress in political institutionalization at two distinct levels: external and internal. This article argues that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership intended to establish political stability directly and facilitate economic development indirectly under the goal of sustaining the political legitimacy of the CCP's rule of China. Finally, this article examines whether China would follow the ideal sequence of political development, i.e. institutionalization leading to participation leading to contestation. Though China has achieved considerable political institutionalization and conducted many experiments of expanding political participation, public contestation is still confined solely to within the party. Thus, it remains to be seen whether or not China will follow the ideal sequence. (J Contemp China/GIGA)

As a result of the dramatic events of recent years, social scientists have devoted increasing attention to explaining what causes democratization as well as what makes democracies vibrant and successful over the long term. Yet, whereas a generation ago most scholars tackling these issues stressed economic, political, or institutional factors, today societal and cultural variables are in vogue. This article argues that examining societal and cultural variables in isolation from their broader context leaves fundamental questions unanswered and misinterprets some of the most important dynamics of political development. To know whether civil society activity will have positive or negative consequences for democratic development, we need to marry an analysis of societal and cultural factors to the study of political institutions.

According to the authors, the role of labour, whether organized or not, in the politics of industrialization traditionally occupied a central position of importance from time to time in Western democracies. Despite the shortness of its history, or perhaps because of it, labour in South Korea has occupied a vital role in shaping the economy and politics of the nation. After discussing the role of labour in U.S. politics, the authors sketch out the role of labour in South Korean politics and point out the similarities and differences between these two labour movements. (DÜI-Sen)

The political system of Cambodia is often—and not inaccurately—described as one of the most stable in Asia. Such description is apt to be justified by reference to the relative absence of upheaval and disturbance which have been the fate of several new Asian states. Surface indications of stability, however, can give rise to exaggerated assumptions about the institutionalized nature of a political system, in the sense that an induced pattern of political activity has jelled to make the system a going concern. The object of this article is to examine the distinguishing features of the Cambodian political system with a view to establishing whether surface appearance reflects an inner resilience or fundamental structural weakness.