The growth of democratic centralism

what did the 1954 constitution name one of the principles on which the PRC was based?

democratic centralism

what was at the lowest level of democratic centralism?

elections to village and town councils

how did elections continue up through the system?

delegates from the lower bodies were sent to represent people higher up

why was the 'democratic' element of China only theoretical?

the entire process was controlled by the CCP and there was no choice of party

how was the 'centralism' of the party true?

political decisions were made at the top level by senior officials, who claimed to be taking into account the best interests of the people

what happened once political decisions were taken?

decisions were imposed through the various levels of the system, without any further discussion

what was the justification of there being no further discission of the decisions being imposed throughout the system?

that only the Party leaders were sufficiently educated in the science of revolution to understand what course of action would best serve the workers

what does democracy mean in Britain?

individual freedom and the idea that the government should do whatever the majority of people say they want, while also taking into account the views of the minority

what does democracy mean in France?

more emphasis is placed on the government to work out what is best for society, and if necessary, to impose it against the wishes of minority groups

which country’s democracy were the chinese influenced by and why?

the french version- several of the party leaders had spent time in france

why were there so many purges and ‘anti’ campaigns?

the more power mao gained the more he feared losing it