The NPC System and Its Evolution: From Nomenklatura to Selectorate

Abstract

In this paper we discuss and analyze how the system of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China has changed, and how the changes have enabled candidates to have limited competition in the NPC system and more say in Chinese politics. The system has been affected by two significant factors. The first is changes in electoral law, including the introduction of direct elections at the county level and differential voting at all levels. The second is the improvement of the authority of the NPC and its Standing Committee. We argue that although Liao Gailong’s major ideas concerning reform of the congress system were not adopted, they have redirected reformers toward more promising avenues, including making sessions more meaningful and strengthening legislative committees. We believe that the extension of limited competitive elections is a logical development, and it is thus reasonable to expect an enlargement of differential voting and, as most hope, direct elections.