“We don’t have the grass-roots democracy; we don’t have independent labor unions; we don’t have checks and balances; we don’t have any system of official accountability.” -Hu Xingdou, economic professor, Beijing Institute of Technology
An article published this week in the New York Times addresses the issues of worker safety and government cover-up surrounding coal mining in China. This article ties together much of what we have learned in class about life in modern China.
China's quest to turn into a global economic power has consequences. China's communist party has abandoned the basic principles of communism.... the quest for equality among the classes... in favor of a capitalist approach to economic growth by encouraging foreign investment and holding even state owned enterprises accountable for economic success. In my opinion, this is fine. I would argue that in no state in the world should the government be expected to provide for its people. The role of the government should be to protect and defend its people and it's here where China is letting its people down.
Governments should establish laws that protect the people. In order for government to protect the best interests of the people, it needs to be also formed of the people. Here is where modern Chinese government contradicts the new freedom expressed in modern Chinese economy. A one party system, where only the party has a say in who leads and how they lead can only lead to corruption. There is no system of checks and balances. No means for other thought to challenge the prevailing thought or offer counter-thought. Modern Chinese "socialism with Chinese characteristics" is merely a catch phrase to justify authoritarian rule through threats and corruption.
The coal industry in China is a perfect example of the issues surrounding modern China. China's economy is growing and it's reliance on energy and electricity grows with that same fervor. Modernization in today's global economy means technological advances and these advances rely on energy. For China, coal has been the answer. It's the most abundant fuel source in China and the means to create energy from coal were the most affordable to implement. Just like other enterprises, China's coal industry is made up of state and privately owned mines competing with each other for production and wealth. And just like everything else in China, the most disposable commodity seems to be the Chinese people.
Where China lacks in fuel sources, food sources and natural resources it does not lack in population. So while it may seem like the sheer number of people could stand up for itself, that's not always the case, not in a one party system that controls the people through fear and corruption and where for the great many, opportunity has grown. The Chinese people seem to be relying on the hope that they too can achieve success, if not for themselves then for their children because for the first time they see opportunity around them, even if for the individual it appears completely out of reach.
Here is where the Chinese government can change. In order to fully integrate into the world economy, they need to not only accept a capitalistic approach to production but also to government. By allowing the people a say, they can elect people who will represent them, not just look out for the best interests of the party or like many tend to do, the best interests of themselves and justified through the party by the means of corruption. Remove the corruption and worker's conditions and safety standards can improve. As it stands now, the people lack the voice because they are expendable and the party simply doesn't care.
The Chinese people have always defended themselves through alternative means, surviving throughout Mao, religious persecution, Cultural Revolution and the Market Economy. But as you have stated government corruption has not made it possible for the Chinese people to rule themselves under a western style government. The current Eastern one party system government in an effort to protect its citizens and control the economy for years controlled its people. However, when it could not have profitability the people suffered rather than the party. When China joined the WTO their standard of laws, employment, and interactions with international business had to excel several levels beyond what they were accustomed. In order to get there people were the driving force. I personally think that the Chinese people are capable of establishing the rule of law. This rule of law as Dongfang refers to, will supply the workers with the means to struggle for their survival today. The one party system with all of is corruption will possibly change but, only in time, when the people work for the change.
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