Examining Chinese Political Theories Part 4 - Jiang's and Hu's Theories

Deng's successor, Jiang Zeming's Three Represents was an effort to convert CPC from a revolutionary party to a ruling party by being more inclusive. CPC shall represent the overwhelming interest of the majority strikes the note of obtaining a political mandate for governance.

Inside the party, this represent was strongly opposed on the ground that it deviate from the classic Communist doctrine to represent the proletariats. The controversy was at least solved after Jiang's Three Represents was adopted into the CPC constitution.

To my view, this is the most progressive part of Jiang's contribution. It would have been better if Jiang elaborate, for instance, the constitutional safeguard against the tyranny by the majority or tyranny under the pretext of representing the majority and also the means and mechanism in substantiating how the representation of the overwhelming interest of the majority is ascertained in such a large country with such large number of polulation.

Jiang's the other represents - that is representing the advanced social production force was a continuation of the Deng's theory emphasising on economic production. This is to be further developed later by Hu Jintao's Scientific Development Theory.

Finally, the least controversial is the representation of the advanced culture and this addition shows the aspiration, perhaps more of his personal aspiration for his affection to things cultural is well known.

Also as Deng's annointed succesor, Hu Jintao's Scientific Development Theory brings a human face and scientific methodology to soften the often rough edges of his predecessors' political theories.

Hu's theory is also seen as more eqalitarian supplementing Deng's theory which is seen as encouraging incessant pursuit of economic growth. To Hu, the governance is not just about whoever catches the mice is a good cat. The good cat,must not only catch the mice, it must also make sure that it didn't break the vase and dirty the carpet.

Hu takes a more comprehensive view towards the country development. He is concerned with more balanced and better coordinated development between man and the nature, between the regions, and that between the urban and the rural areas.

Hu speaks of sustainable development after almost 20 years of jaw-droping economic growth at the expense of natural environ and habitat and a great drain of natural resurces. Hu also speaks of a people-centric society in a country where everyone is urged to get rich is glorious at the expense of moral and traditional values. Hu also calls for more social welfare in an increasing affluent society and yet there are still large numbers who remains unprivileged who are deprieved of affordable and accessible medical treatment and educational opportunity.

Hu's theory in creating a harmonious society is such an irony in a country which CPC built on the basis of class struggle. It maybe ironic to the historian and the observers and perhaps bitter to the Mao's loyalist, it is however a well-thought out balanced approach towards building a nation.

Hu did speak about developing a democratic China, yet like Deng and Jiang, he was shy at spelling out how the democratization is going to be delivered. I have speculated that a democratic China, most likely in the form of an intra-party democracy, will be in place in 2020s to 2030s.

It is neccesary to discuss about the constitutional reform that is required. How is the rule of law going to be anchored firmly in a country where the judiciary is far from independence? How is the ruling party accountable to the peoples without constitutional and political scrutiny? How is the unification possible without a new constitutional convention? These are some of many constitutional questions to be addressed and Hu still has the time and opportunity to explain this. Will he and can he do it or is he leaving it to the next Chinese political theorist?