How Politics influences the economic and social structure of nations.
In many nations worldwide, there exist different types of political institutions that are in charge of governance. Like other countries, China is a nation whose policies and governance are directly related to political influences. China has been historically ruled by dynasties from the Shang dynasty to the Ming Dynasty. During the rule of the dynasties, the participation of people in politics was greatly undermined by the relevant authorities. The participation of Chinese people in politics has been suppressed for generations, especially in the 1900s. In recent years, China has experienced a rise in mass protests with citizens demanding equitability in solving sociopolitical issues. This new form of political activism by citizens regardless of their education, political affiliation, and background has united ordinary Chinese and helped them push different agendas to improve their lives. This paper aims to discuss the various ways Chinese citizens participate in both local and national politics. Also, it will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the various political tools employed by Chinese citizens. Some of the main ways that Ch9inese residents participate in politics include social media, local organizations, and political activism through art.
The formation of local authorities has been the main way citizens of China participate in politics. The Chinese middle-class form the largest crop of participants in peaceful protests. The middle class, through their robust networks and wealth, can gather and push for their interests. Their participation in politics has further been cemented because they are highly organized, which local authorities have been unable to counter. The rise in middle class influenced protest through local organizations has been made easier by the fragmentation in government agencies. Traditionally, political power has been centrally located in China, with the Chinese Community Party making all citizens’ decisions. With the shift of power from the national government to local authorities, there has been increased public participation in local matters.
Moreover, the national government no longer focuses on small issues that are often advocated by middle-class, middle-class protesters.The issues raised affect the citizens at the local level and require attention from local authorities, which are less powerful than the national government. Local authorities are discouraged from using force by the national government, thus giving citizens the courage to participate in peaceful protests.
Local political groups in China are considered highly organized and employ tactful ways to get their issues addressed. Because a large majority of local organizers are highly educated professionals, they follow all legal procedures set and laws when raising their issues with their local governments. First, they lodge formal complaints with relevant boards. As in most cases with government agencies, little gets done by the authorities. The groups then move to courts to make local authorities formally ware of their issues. When all intervention methods have failed, the groups resort to peaceful protests. The protestors walk in city centers without disrupting business or embarrassing the local authorities in any manner. Continued protests put substantial pressure on the local authorities, taking them to the drawing board.
The main advantage of participating in politics through local organizations is the strength in numbers. When a person decides to bring the change, he or she requires the help of others. The gathering of people with similar interests ensures that they can speak in a collective voice. For example, the Xiamen city protests could not have yielded results had Professor Zhao Yufen not involved others in the protests. Additionally, local organizations have been successful in China because of fragmentation in government agencies. A lot of Chinese government agencies rarely work together and thus easy to lobby them against each other. The local groups lobby the agencies against each other, making their issues getting resolved easily. Participation in politics through the local groups remains the most effective form of citizen participation in China, having achieved numerous changes without involving the national government.
Political participation In China is also done through social media. Politics in China has evolved, especially because of the use of social media. China is one of the world’s most populated nations and has the largest number of Smartphone users in the world. With the nation having experienced a boom in economic growth, a majority of its citizens have access to the internet. Therefore its citizens can discuss issues affecting them and which can be seen by others across the country. Access to information through social media has made it easier for Chinese citizens to participate in issues affecting them. They can start hashtags or create pages highlighting their issues, which can be seen by millions of people. Those with similar problems can voice their opinions or share information widely about their problem. When the issues are shared widely, they create national conversations. For example, the recent Hong Kong protests gained worldwide popularity because of social media. Each day of the protests was broadcasted across major social media networks highlighting the plight of the city’s residents.
The Chinese authorities have tried to limit social media usage in the nation by blocking some foreign companies and advocating for local social media sites in to monitor and regulate their people’s speech. One of the main disadvantages that the use of social media has brought by using it for political reasons is the increased detention of vocal social media activists. Social media activists in china are arrested daily due to the laws passed to regulate social media use. Holding a different opinion from that of the ruling party has landed many citizens in jail. China still has a long way to go when it comes to citizen participation in politics. The ruling party has created laws that have made it easier for people with contrary political views to participate in sociopolitical issues. At many government levels, bureaucracy killed public confidence in authorities to effect needed change unless the citizens became actively involved in politics, something which social media provides a platform.
Finally, the Chinese participate in politics through art.Ai Wei is a Chinese artist who uses his skills to educate Chinese citizens and hold the CCP accountable for actions that affect Chinese residents daily. Art has become an important tool in advancing political agendas .the various forms of art used include paintings,films, or songs. For example, Ai Wei framed 123 letters he had sent to Chinese authorities regarding the deaths of over 5000 children during the Wenchuan earthquake of 2008. The artist’s presentation enabled other citizens to start questioning the figures the government had presented to them before. It also raised questions about the government’s commitment to its citizens’ safety because of the numerous letters that went unresponded despite the complexity of the issue. Chinese citizens can relate to art forms used because they express what they can’t say without fear. Art continues to be a great tool for political participation because many citizens can easily relate to the artists and also because it expresses issues they cannot.
In conclusion, political participation in China remains a challenge for most Chinese citizens. The government’s control of media agencies and strict regulation of information has made it difficult for political participation. The recent Honk Kong protests indicate the failures of the current regime in engaging its citizens in economic, political, and social issues. The Chinese government must allow its citizens to express their opinions freely least it turns to a dictatorial state .political participation by citizens is the backbone of any democratic nation, and China should be accommodative to divergent opinions.