Politics in the US and China: Similarities and Differences - Report Example

Full Full Submitted Politics in the US and China: Similarities and Differences The US and China are two of the largest and most powerful nations of the world today. They are trading partners, but they are better known to be political rivals. Their political systems are different. The US is popularly known as the banner holder of democracy; while the People’s Republic of China is better known to be the banner holder of communism. These two nations differ fundamentally on their belief as to “whether political rights are considered God-given and therefore absolute or whether they should be seen as privileges to be negotiated based on the needs and conditions of the nation” (Li, par. 15). They are rivals because they are competing for the same goal. They both wanted to rule and control the world. The US will not allow its super power status to be taken by China or any other nation; while China’s active engagement in world affairs today can be seen as its way to widen its influence and increase its global reputation. Although their political systems are different, they also have similarities. Similarities and Differences Elections in the US and China are similar in a number of ways. First, both regard the electoral system to be “the primary institutional mechanism to regulate political competition” (Bielasiak, sec. 1). It is written in their Constitutions. Second, both nations conduct elections through a party system (“Party Systems,” par. 2). This means; they organize their elections through parties whether one-party, two-party, or multi-party systems. Robinson defines parties as organized groups which aim to take control of the government (10). Third, both follow the majoritarian electoral rules (Bielasiak, sec. 2). Meaning, the party with more than half of ballots cast wins. Expectedly, elections in the US and China are different in many ways. First, they have different party systems. The US is a two-party electoral democracy (“Party Systems,” par. 2). In this system although there are other minor parties, only two political parties dominate the electoral race. The American elections are dominated by the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. (par. 3) On the other hand, China is a one-party state. At the center of the country’s leadership is the Communist Party of China (CPC). Non-communist parties are allowed to participate in the spirit of multiparty cooperation and political consultation but under the leadership of the CPC. (Xinhua News Agency, sec. 1) Second, they employ the majority electoral rules differently. Bielsiak explains that plurality rule determines the American legislative elections. The electorates of territorial single-member districts cast their single votes for their preferred candidate. The candidate with most votes wins and the party that wins in most districts will be the legislative majority. On the other hand, the Chinese National People’s Assembly (NPA) is determined by an absolute majority through indirect voting of local and regional officials. (sec. 2) Third, election in the United States is done publicly. Counting of votes is seen and monitored by the whole nation. On the other hand, election in China is done privately. (Jacques, par. 4) Fourth, they differ as to how candidates win electoral votes. The US gain electoral votes through popular campaign employing different popular tactics and strategies. Character assassination and television advertising campaign is increasingly defining the American election campaign. Hence, election campaign in the US is expensive. Expectedly, funding of the American election campaign has always been a source of political intrigue. On the other hand, election campaign in China is not as expensive as that of the US because candidates are recommended by at least ten voters if it is a direct election and ten deputies if it is an indirect election (“China’s Political System,” sec. 7). Fifth, election laws in the United States differ in some of its Federal States; whereas in China, election laws are solely defined by the Central Government. Sixth, they differ in the term of offices. For example, the term of office of the American President and Vice President is four years; whereas, term of office of the Chinese President and Vice President is five years (Zibas, par. 3-4). Seventh, the American Congress is divided between the Republicans and Democrats. The party with greater number of seats in Congress becomes the majority party to dominate the Congress and the party with the lesser seat becomes the minority party. In China, the people’s congresses are not representative of congressional party groups. They all serve under the one party rule of the CPC. (Xinhua News Agency, sec. 1) The manner of voting in both countries is similar in some ways. First, election in both countries is done through direct and indirect voting. Direct voting is when voters vote for the candidate. Indirect voting is when voters vote not for the candidate but for those who will vote for the candidate. Second, both nations elect their presidents and vice-presidents not through direct voting but through indirect voting. Both the American President and Vice President are indirectly elected through the Electoral College; whereas, the Chinese President and Vice President are indirectly elected through the National People’s Congress. (Zibas, pars. 3-4) Third, both nations define the voting age at 18 years old and above. (ChartsBin Statistics Collector Team) Fourth, both nations vote for their local officials directly and their national officials indirectly. Fifth, both nations require the registration of voters for them to be legally recognized and be given the right to vote. (“China’s Political System,” Art. 7) How Americans and Chinese vote for their public officials differently. First, they select their President and Vice President differently. In the US, a presidential candidate runs in team with a vice presidential candidate in a single ticket. These candidates are selected during the primary elections. Voters vote not for the individual presidential and vice-presidential candidates, but for one ticket. They cannot vote a presidential candidate from a different ticket and a vice president from another ticket. This is done separately in the 51 US Federal Sates. The voters are actually voting not for the candidates but for electors that will compose the Electoral College. The Electoral College will then vote for the President and Vice President. Each elector is entitled to one vote called the electoral vote. The Presidential candidate receiving the majority vote will determine the winning Vice Presidential candidate and political party. In case, none of the Presidential candidates get a majority electoral vote, the House of Representatives will then choose from among the top three Presidential candidates with the highest number of electoral votes and the Vice President from the top two Vice Presidential candidates with the highest number of electoral votes. (“How the President…,” 1) In China, the President and Vice President are elected by the National People’s Congress (NPC). One candidate is nominated by the Presidium of the NPC from a one name ballot. Registered voters vote for village and local people’s congresses that will later vote for the representatives to provincial people’s congresses. The provincial congresses will then vote for the delegates to the NPC. (“China’s Political System,” Art. 7) Second they vote their congresses in different manner. All members of the American Congress are selected directly by the popular vote (“How the President…,” 1); whereas members of the NPC of China are selected indirectly by votes of the representatives of provincial congresses. But representatives at the district and county levels are selected by the direct voting of the electorate (“China’s Political System,” Art. 7). How are these two countries ruled? They are ruled similarly in some ways. First, both nations have a Constitution that serves as the highest law of their lands. Second, both have their congresses that act as their policy-making bodies. Third, both nations similarly govern in a bureaucratic way. Meaning, authority is divided according to levels from the central government to local governments, as their electoral systems show. Each level is assigned the authority based on each area of responsibility as defined. However, they are differently ruled in many ways. First, they exercise state power differently. In the US, state power is exercised through the three branches of government. These are the executive (the Office of the President), the legislative (the Congress), and the judiciary (the Supreme Court). In China, state power is exercised through three interlocking branches of power, the CPC, the Central People’s Government or the State Council, and the People’s Liberation Army (“China’s Political System,” Art. 7). Second, the congresses of both nations are structured and operated differently. The US Congress is bicameral. It is divided into two, the Senate and the House of Representatives. This structure is meant to ensure check and balance. The NPC of China is structured and operated in a unified manner. Meaning there is only one parliament. (Xinhua News Agency, sec. 2) Third, they administer their territories differently. The US follows a federalist system. Power is shared between the central government and the 51 state governments. On the other hand, China follows a centralized political system. Government agencies are structured vertically. (Fang 2-3) Conclusion It is very surprising to know that despite their different political systems, a democratic country like the US and a communist country like China can share some similarities. But these similarities are only in terms of the general components of their political system and governance. But when it comes to the specifics of these components, they display stark differences. These may be due to their historical backgrounds, geographical locations, territorial characteristics, and culture. Works Cited Bielasiak, Jack. “Electoral Systems and Political Parties.” AP Central. (11 Feb. 2014). ChartsBin Statistics Collector Team. “Legal Voting Age around the World.” ChartsBin.com, 2009. (12 Feb. 2014). Fang, Guanming. U.S./China Differences and Their Impacts on Business Behaviors. (10 Feb. 2014). “How the President of the United States Is Elected?” EnchantedLearning.com. (11 Feb. 2014). Jacques, Martin. “A Point of View: Is China More Legitimate then the West?” BBC News Magazine, 2 Nov. 2012. (11 Feb. 2014). Li, Eric X. “Why China’s Political Model Is Superior.” The New York Times: The Opinion Pages. 16 Feb. 2012. (10 Feb. 2014). “Party Systems.” History Learning Sites. (11 Feb. 2014). Robinson, Alan David. “Government – Party System.” The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ed. McLintock, A. H. NZ. Government Printer, 1966. 10. Xinhua News Agency. “Differences between China, Western political Systems.” China Daily, 10 Mar. 2009. < http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009npc/2009-03/10/content_7557459.htm> (11 Feb. 2014). Zibas, Christine. “Differences in Politics and Economics between the US and China.” World Issues. 12 Jul. 2012. (10 Feb. 2014). Read More