Party Adaptation and the Prospects for Democratization in Authoritarian China

Abstract

The Seventeenth National Congress of the Chinese Communist party (CCP) in 2007is an important event for those who are interested in Communist China`s regime It prompts the questions why the one-party system is seemingly becoming more consolidated under progressive market reform, and why china`s departure from state socialism has not caused the regime to collapse, One answer to these questions lies in the fact that the Party has been attempting to adapt itself to social change by establishing certain institutions. Four strategies of Party adaptation-institutionalization of of power succession, political cooptation, state corporatism, and pplicy preference moving toward social development-have been applied The institutionalization of power succession has stabilized the regime and maintained political coherence within the party while political elites struggle for power. It has greatly reduced the possibility of collapse as a result of a split in the elite. Political cooptation and state corporatism have effectively prevented social elites and social organizations from challenging the party by means of their wealth, values, and organization. The integration of these new forces into the state has allowed the Party once again to dominate society keeping it in line with the regime. The CCP is also trying to redress grievances concerning illegal government practices from below by means of redistribution. The incidence of radical protest has apparently decreased throughout China. The application of these strategies is making a significant contribution to the CCP`s survival and is allowing China t delay democratic reform indefinitely.