May 19 2006
Class Notes: Village Election
Villages are supposedly non-government units, autonomous. According to 1982 constitution
Peng Zhen: managed open elections (3-3-3 systems, etc.) in “liberated regions” during the 1930s.
Pitman Potter wrote a biography, has personal documents.
CCP in law–only two places explicitly spelled out:
1. Village Organic Law;
2. Education Law;
3. Constitution preamble.
Bean counter in Gui Zhou: election among illiterate villagers. Bench, plate for every candidate, voters drop beans
Like the Greek “ostracize/ostrakizein” system.
Organic law very vague. As a result, there are all types of interpretations/practices, etc.
Chinese propaganda rule: do NOT mention the East European election experiences. Only party organ can.
Most recent article: Democracy, Community, Trust: the impact of elections in rural china/Melanie Manion, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
Key to election process: nomination–whether open and fair?
Elections actually increase friction with township governments: conflict of real interests. But more political trust (or less suspected corruption) after good elections (The Manion paper).
Election rigging: bribing, dinner invitation, non-secret voting (open ballot, vote buying, etc.) The argument for better law.
Migrant workers can participate in urban district election.
Village Committee Elections in China: Institutionalist Tactics for Democracy
Why no critical citizenship??