Village Elections in China - Democracy or Facade
In: New politics: a journal of socialist thought, Band 12, Heft 4, S. 101-107
ISSN: 0028-6494
The article explores the elections and their effect on relationships per group stratification in rural China. The author examines criteria, as each pertain to the socio-political evolution and decision-making process, evaluating future democratic prospects. The author states that village elections provide a key insight into the meaningfulness of the processes, mechanisms, and effects; often involving corrupt management practices. Present indicators state democracy formed by a constituency from the bottom strata of society seems unlikely, though there are competitive public elections, i.e. the 2005 election in Pingshanan. The author also examines the roles of candidates running for office - entrepreneurs, nouveau riche, and party politics; as well as unwavering male dominance, and other implications regarding the democratic process in China. Adapted from the source document.