AP CoGo China Vocabulary

3rd Generation Leader

Leaders from 1992-2003, notably Jiang Zemin, educated in the Soviet Union and part of the Communist Party during China's economic development.

4th Generation Leader

From 2003 to 2010, represented by core figure Hu Jintao, characterized by a technocratic style and less centralized political structure.

Autonomous Regions

Areas with limited self-government within China, often involving ethnic minorities granted some autonomy.

Cadres

Individuals holding authority positions in a communist-state, who may or may not be members of the Communist Party.

Central Committee

The most important body in a communist party, whose influence diminishes as its size increases.

Central Military Commission

Represents the military in China's government; its head plays a significant role in policymaking.

Chiang Kai-shek

General and leader of Nationalist China after 1925, known for opposing the communist movement led by Mao Zedong.

Collectivism

Prioritizing group goals over individual desires, often tied to extended family or work group.

Chinese Communist Party

Formed in 1923, it merged anti-conservative and anti-imperialist elements, separating from the KMT under Mao in 1927.

Confucianism

Philosophy based on Confucius's teachings, promoting stability, orderly society, and moral conduct.

Cultural Revolution

A political campaign initiated by Mao Zedong from 1966-1976 to eliminate rivals and promote revolutionary spirit.

Danwei

A system of social control in China that ties citizens to specific bureaucratic systems dictating their lives.

Decentralization

The degree of decision-making authority delegated to lower levels in an organization.

Democratic Centralism

A form of democracy where party discussions guide central leadership decision-making.

Deng Xiaoping Theory

A mix of authoritarian control and economic privatization initiated by Deng Xiaoping.

Dual Role

The relationship between the Communist Party and the Chinese government.

Dynastic Cycles

Patterns of ruling families taking power and being replaced over generations.

Egalitarianism

The belief in human equality and the advocacy for political and social equality.

Ethic of Struggle

One of Mao's principles emphasizing resilience and revolutionary spirit.

Factions

Political groups unified by shared objectives and policies.

Fang-shou

A cycle of tightening and loosening power among political factions.

Floating Population

The group of approximately 150 million rural peasants seeking urban employment without danwei affiliation.

Foreign Devils

A term indicating Chinese disdain for outsiders, stemming from nationalistic sentiments post-1911.

Four Modernization

Deng Xiaoping's initiative to improve agriculture, science/technology, defense, and industry following the Cultural Revolution.

Free Market Socialism

A blend of socialistic state enterprises with open-market economic practices in China.

Gang of Four

A political group, including Jiang Qing, that opposed reformists post-Mao's death.

Guanxi

Personal relationships in China, crucial for political and economic interactions.

Great Leap Forward

Mao's ambitious plan for rapid economic development that resulted in widespread famine.

Han Chinese

The dominant ethnic group in China, who viewed others as outsiders.

Hegemony

Dominance of one state or group over its allies.

Household Responsibility System

Agricultural policy allowing families to make production decisions for profit.

Hu Jintao

General Secretary of the Communist Party and head of state from 2003 to 2010.

Hukou

China's household registration system that limits movement within the country.

Hu Yaobang

Leader supportive of reforms whose death led to significant protests in 1989.

Iron Rice Bowl

A feature of socialism in China ensuring job security and social benefits.

Jiang Zemin

Successor to Deng Xiaoping as Communist Party leader in the 1990s.

Li Peng

Former Premier known for supporting force against Tiananmen Square protests.

The Long March

A strategic retreat of Chinese Communists over 6,000 miles from Nationalist forces.

Mandate of Heaven

A traditional Chinese concept legitimizing dynastic rule.

Mao Zedong

Leader of the Communist Party and founder of the People's Republic of China.

Maoism

A variant of Marxism-Leninism emphasizing constant revolution.

Mass Line

Mao's economic policy leading to agricultural cooperatives.

Mass Mobilization

Engagement of large numbers of people in social movements.

Nationalist Party

Chiang Kai-shek's party, in power until the Communists' victory in 1949.

National Party Congress

A body of delegates that meets every five years to approve party decisions.

A New Socialist Countryside

Wen Jiabao's initiative to address rural poverty and wealth disparity.

Nomenklatura

The system of appointing individuals to influential state positions by the Communist Party.

One Country, Two Systems

Deng Xiaoping's proposal for managing different governance systems in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Parallel Hierarchies

The interconnected structures of the Communist Party, government, and military.

Patron-Client System in China

Relationship dynamics facilitated by guanxi among party members.

People's Courts

China's court system handling criminal and civil matters.

Procuratorate

Official role involved in investigating and prosecuting official crimes.

People's Liberation Army

The military force of the Chinese Communist Party.

People's National Congress

The apex of China's government where state authority is vested.

Plenums

Meetings of the Central Committee of the Communist Party.

Politburo

The most powerful body in the Communist Party, consisting of a small committee.

Standing Committee

The second highest body in China's legislature selected from the Politburo.

Political Elites

Individuals with significant political power and influence.

Private Business

Market-oriented enterprises operating under capitalist principles.

Rule of Law and China

The principle that higher authority should be bound by laws, gaining prominence since 1978.

Socialist Market Economy

China's economic model blending socialism with market mechanisms.

Special Economic Zones

Areas established in 1979 to attract foreign investment and encourage economic growth.

State Corporatism

A system where the state guides and controls organized interest groups.

Sun Yat-sen

The first president of the Chinese Republic after the 1911 Revolution.

Technocrats

Bureaucrats making decisions based on technical knowledge rather than politics.

Township and Village Enterprises

Limited capitalist ventures allowing citizens to operate businesses for profit.

Two Chinas

Refers to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Unstinting Service

Absolute support as seen between communist officials and CCP leaders.

Wen Jiabao

Premier of China and head of government responsible for economic policies.

Youth League

A youth organization within the Communist Party for ages fourteen to twenty-eight.

Zhao Ziyang

Key reform ally of Deng Xiaoping known for advocating economic changes.