AP Comp Gov: China Vocab

Autonomous region

region that has the freedom to govern itself, but is still under the larger sovereignty of the central government

Central Committee

principal body of a communist party; elected members who oversee the party’s activities

Centrally planned economy

economic system where the state or government makes all decisions

Collective leadership

leadership structure where decisions are made by a group of people rather than a single leader

Communism

political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society and the abolition of private property, where the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole

Developmental state

state with strong government intervention in the economy to promote industrialization

Floating population

People who live in an area where they do not have permanent residency, often in search of work

General secretary

highest-ranking official within a communist party

Guerilla warfare

irregular warfare where small groups use military tactics like ambushes and raids

Household registration

system in some countries where citizens must register their place of residence with the authorities

Household responsibility system

practice in China where individual households are given control over agricultural production and are responsible for making a profit

Iron rice bowl

Chinese term that refers to guaranteed job security, along with income and benefits

Leading small groups

Committees that are tasked with decision-making and policy formulation in specific areas within the Chinese political system

Mass organizations

Organizations in a communist state that represent different interest groups, such as workers, youth, or women.

National Party Congress

body that represents the entire membership of a communist party and is responsible for electing the Central Committee

National People’s Congress

national legislature of the People’s Republic of China, which exercises state power

Netizens

Citizens who actively participate in online communities

People’s Liberation Army

combined military forces of the People’s Republic of China

Politburo

principal policymaking committee of a communist party

Socialist democracy

political system that combines elements of socialism and democracy to balance individual freedoms with collective ownership

Socialist market economy

mixes elements of both socialism and capitalism

Standing Committee

subgroup of the poliburo and the Central Committee of a communist party, which acts as the top decision-making body

State-owned enterprises

Businesses owned or controlled by the state

Totalitarianism

state holds total authority over society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life