NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Xinhua
IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar
Chinese Foreign Ministry releases a report criticizing US democracy and political system
On 5 December, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a report on the US democracy ahead of the US-led ‘Summit for Democracy’. The report focuses on “American-style democracy” its dysfunctionality and how America is not the “beacon of democracy.” The report starts by defining democracy and no country that fits the one-size-fits-all model and using a yardstick to measure diverse political systems would be “undemocratic”. The report particularly aims at pointing out the US system of democracy and its historical development and articulation of the principle ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people’ by Abraham Lincoln.
The deep-seated problems
First, the American-style democracy turned into “a game of money politics.” According to the report, “the American-style democracy is a rich men’s game based on capital, and is fundamentally different from the democracy of the people.” It discusses that American democracy is based on money politics and has penetrated the election, legislation, and administration process. The report claims: the inequality in economic status has morphed into inequality in political status and money politics has become an “irremovable tumor” in American society. Second, the idea of political pluralism: a façade. The report says that the reality of American democracy is “rule of the minority elite” rather than the “one person one vote.” It discusses how a small number of minority elites control all aspects such as political, military, and economic affairs. The Democrats and Republicans have taken turns to get the majority in the White House and the idea of a multiparty system is “dead.” For the ordinary people, voting for the third party or an independent candidate became a waste of their ballot. Third, the US “vetocracy.” The report quotes American political scientist Francis Fukuyama from his book Political Order and Political Decay and talks about a system of “vetocracy”. American culture functions on “checks and balances” which was initially designed to prevent abuse of power have now led to political polarization. Fourth, the flawed and unfair American electoral process. The report explains the flaws in the electoral processes wherein the President and Vice-President are not elected by popular vote but by a time-honored Electoral College system. Flaws such as deciding the winner based on the president-elect who may not be a winner of the national popular vote, each state making its own electoral rules, winner-takes-all system, and ‘gerrymandering’ unfair division of electoral districts in favor of a particular party. Fifth, dysfunctional American democracy. The report says the American democracy is more like a Hollywood movie with political in-fighting, money politics which makes it undesirable to deliver it to the audience.
Messy and chaotic practices of democracy
First, the Capitol riot. The report says that the riots on Capitol Hill “shows what is underneath the gorgeous appearance of the American-style democracy.” According to the document, the major imperatives of the assault are: the US is not as democratic as it claims to be; the US is not as free as it claims; the ‘rule of law’ in the US is not bound by the law as it claims. The second, the factor of racism. In the US, racial segregation is a “blot on democracy.” The report describes the case of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter as an important factor indicating the US’ failure to practice democracy they advocate of in the Constitution of 1789. Third, mishandling of COVID-19 pandemic. The report criticizes the US for mishandling the pandemic and how “the US has been a total mess when it comes to COVID response” and this has taken a huge toll on the US economy. Fourth, the polarization of wealth in the US. According to the report, “the wealth polarization in the US is inherent to its own political system and the interests of the capital that its government represents.” Fifth, the name’s sake is “freedom of speech.” The report says that the US media has no freedom and is no longer the “gatekeeper of democracy.”
US’ brand of democracy
First, the report explains that the US seeks to impose its own political system on countries around the world and interferes in other countries’ internal matters. It says the US idea of “color revolutions” undermines regional and national security without any regard to the differences on economical and cultural fronts. Second, imposition o the US’ brand of democracy “causes humanitarian tragedies.” The report takes the example of the Afghanistan crisis and how the US is responsible for the ongoing humanitarian crisis and fatalities. It also includes US launched airstrikes in Syria and how the conflict could have been avoided. Third, the US abusing the sanctions. According to the report, “unilateral sanction is a “big stick” the US wields in dealing with other countries. Over many years, the US has exercised its financial hegemony and abused its technological clout to carry out frequent, unilateral bullying against other countries.” Fourth, the US as the ‘beacon of democracy.’ The report criticizes the US “hypocrisy in exporting US “democratic values”, and US acts of bullying and hegemony around the world in the name of democracy.” The report concludes with the note that the international community has pressing issues to look at like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and economic slowdown. All the countries around the world must work together and should “rise above differences in systems, reject the mentality of a zero-sum game, and pursue genuine multilateralism.”
Perspective
The report released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry has attacked the US political system and criticized American democracy calling it “a game of money politics.” The entire document manages to bring in several instances, examples, opinions, and research from experts on the flaws of American democracy and how it cannot impose its brand of democracy on other countries, mainly China. The report is in response to the Biden-led ‘Summit for democracy’ and the US is the center model for democratic countries. According to China, the US democratic system has its own flaws and should not disregard other forms of government that do not follow the US rule book for democracy.
The ongoing rivalry between China and the US has taken a new phase with China questioning the US' democracy and political system. In conclusion, the report indulges in imperatives for the US: one, ensuring the democratic rights of its own citizens, and two, undertaking more international responsibilities.
References:
“Full Text: The State of Democracy in the United States,” China.org, 6 December 2021
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Dincy Adlakha
INTERNAL
State Council issues circular on administrative penalty law
On 8 December, Xinhua Net reported that the state council of China’s cabinet had published a circular that pushed for effective and concrete measures to execute the revised administrative penalty law. The circular issued by the government has made it essential to complete the training for the current administrative law enforcement personnel by June 2022. It also called for a wider publicity of the law. It said: “The stipulations and enforcement of administrative punishment must be in accordance with laws and regulations.” (“China to further implement administrative penalty law,” Xinhua Net, 8 December 2021)
Government releases plan to improve rural modernization in next five-year plan
On 8 December, the vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs addressed a press conference and announced that the state government had released a plan to improve agricultural and rural modernization in the 14th five-year plan period. The plan said: “After five years of efforts, the foundation of agriculture is expected to be further consolidated, comprehensive signs of progress are expected to be made in rural vitalization, and significant advancement is expected to be made in modernizing agricultural and rural areas.” The plan aims to make substantial progress in the rural area and achieve all its goals provided in the plan by 2035. (“China unveils 5-year plan to advance agricultural, rural modernization,” Xinhua Net, 8 December 2021)
Supreme People’s Court releases document on sentence reduction and parole
On 8 December, the Supreme People’s Court released a document that provided the guidelines for court hearings in sentence reduction and parole cases. The guidelines are aimed at ensuring that the criminals are punished adequately and only the truly repentant individuals are granted leniency. The document stressed the need to understand who the truly repentant are and the process in deciding if the convicts are indeed willing to change for good. The Court said: “Apart from convicts' acts of repentance during their prison sentence, the court should take into consideration whether the convicts truly feel sorry for their criminal activities and realize the damage they caused to society.” (“China releases guidelines to improve sentence reduction, parole hearings,” Xinhua Net, 8 December 2021)
REGIONAL
Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council comments on DPP’s actions
On 8 November, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council spokesperson Ma Xiaoguang opposed Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party’s actions that slander the mainland’s integration efforts and created and encouraged sentiments of secession in the Island. The report said that Taiwan’s mainland affairs office distorted facts by claiming that the mainland spoiled the functioning of Taiwanese companies by punishing the independence elements. While asserting that the intentions to create problems in the retrieval of Taiwan are bound to fail and referring to
the 2021 Zijinshan Summit, Ma said: “Attendees have proved through actions that strengthening economic cooperation is an inevitable choice to achieve mutual benefits for both sides of the Strait.” (“Mainland spokesperson slams DPP for sowing discord across Taiwan Strait,” Xinhua Net, 8 December 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Chinese Foreign Ministry calls US democracy summit as democratic manipulation
On 8 December, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated in a daily press meeting that the “Summit for Democracy” publicized by the US in an attempt to seek democratic hegemony, is in actuality a democratic manipulation. He lauded Hungary’s rejection of a common EU stands on the summit. He also said that Hungary’s disagreement with the event shows the widespread opposition to the summit. He also said that the US has promoted this summit without consulting the international community. Wang said: “No matter how the United States glosses over itself, its true face of seeking hegemony under the guise of democracy has long been exposed to the world. The so-called 'summit for democracy' will only go down in history as a manipulator and saboteur of democracy." (“"Summit for democracy" will go down in history as democratic manipulation: FM spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 8 December 2021)
China attends International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction 2021
On 8 December, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction 2021. He emphasized the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and also pledged continuous support from the Chinese side towards post-earthquake reconstruction. The Conference was held as an effort to generate support for Nepalese reconstruction from the deadly earthquake that hit the country six years ago. China stressed that it will always be Nepal’s friendly neighbor and development partner, through the varying efforts and plans, including the cooperation under BRI. (“China to continue supporting Nepal's post-earthquake reconstruction: FM,” Xinhua Net, 8 December 2021)
US House of Representatives passes legislation to ban imports from Xinjiang
On 8 December, the House of Representatives in the IS passed legislation that banned imports from Xinjiang. The attributed reason for this measure is concerns of forced labor and human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in the region. The law is named the “Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act” and was passed by an astonishing majority of 428-1. However, to become a law, the legislation must also be passed by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden. China has declined all such claims and has criticized such allegations. Xinjiang supplies solar panels in bulk to the world including to the US. (Patricia Zengerle, “U.S. House passes measure clamping down on products from China's Xinjiang region,” Reuters, 8 December 2021)
Canada joins US, UK, Australia in a diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics
On 9 December, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will also diplomatically boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. The announcement followed the first step made by the White House, followed by governments in the UK, and Australia. This diplomatic ban is said to be enforced due to the human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China has strongly opposed all these allegations and held that this is an infringement on international norms and a violation of its sovereignty. PM Trudeau said: “We are extremely concerned by the repeated human rights violations by the Chinese government. They should not be surprised we will not be sending any diplomatic representation.” (“Canada joins U.S. and allies in Beijing Olympics boycott,” The Asahi Shimbun, 9 December 2021)