(f) The growth of Democratic Centralism

growth of democratic centralism: what does democratic centralism mean?

the way power was exercised in Communist Russia, but it also applied to China and was realme th the 1954 constitution as one of the principles on which the PRC was based.

growth of democratic centralism: what happened at the lowest level?

there were elections to village and town and these continued up through the system, as delegates from the lower bodies were sent to represent people higher up.

However, the entire process was controlled by the CuP, so the 'democratic' element is only theoretical. There was no choice of party.

How were political decisions made and justified in early Communist China?

Senior Party officials made decisions at the top, claiming to act in the people’s best interests. Once taken, decisions were imposed down the system without further discussion, justified by the belief that only Party leaders understood the science of revolution and what was best for workers.

How is democracy generally understood in Britain?

In Britain, democracy is linked to individual freedom. The government is expected to follow the wishes of the majority while considering the views of the minority.

How is democracy generally understood in France?

In France, democracy emphasizes the government’s role in deciding what is best for society, even if it means imposing decisions against minority wishes.

Which version of democracy influenced Chinese Communist leaders, and how did they view individual rights?

Chinese Communist leaders were influenced by the French model, prioritizing what the government decided was best for society. They placed no importance on individual rights.

How did Mao’s increasing power affect his behavior within the CCP?

As Mao’s power grew, he became increasingly insecure, fearing loss of authority and internal enemies plotting against him. This fear helped drive the many purges and “anti” campaigns within the Party.