China and India 1
China and India a Political Comparison
Thomas Hendricks
POL353: Comparative Politics
Instructor: Pamela Hunter
11/2/14
China and India 2
Introduction
India and China are two very interesting and fascinating countries when one discusses their
political systems, political cultures, economic growth, and they have world’s two largest
populations. Looking into the future of both countries with so many dynamic things each
possess’ shows a great opportunity for both countries to do great things. While they are two very
different cultures, they both will contribute greatly to the world.
China and India 3
The countries of China and India are both very fascinating and are making their presents felt in
the world. Each contributes in its own way. China due to the U.S. economic growth as seen a rise
in exports “China’s export volume was stronger than expected in July, surging 14.5 percent from
the previous year to USD 212.9 billion, China’s General Administration of Customs said in a
statement Friday. The sharp rise in exports lifted China’s trade surplus to a record USD 47.3
billion last month.” (PNA, 2014) It is no secret that China is one of the biggest exporters in the
world and thus plays a valuable part in the world economy and will no doubt continue ot do so in
the future. India’s economy is expected to grow 6.4% in 2013-14. “Gross domestic product is
forecast to grow 6.4 percent in 2013-14, up from 5 percent in the previous year, which was the
slowest pace in a decade. Rangarajan hinted that estimate for 2012-13 might be lifted
upwards.”(RTTNEWS, 2013) Each has great importance in the world economy. While this paper
is not about the economies of China and India but the examples above does give a hint to their
importance and place in the world. China is a communist country. One thing to keep in mind is
that the political environment in China is moving the country into a full established market
economy. China-Britain.org describes Chinas political structure as “China’s government is a
pyramid shaped structure, at the top of which sits the President, currently Hu Jintao. The role of
the Presidency is essentially to provide vision – to set the general course for the country as a
whole. Each of China’s leaders since Mao has marked his role with a body of thought which all
those below are supposed to turn to as general guidance in policymaking.
Below the Presidency is the State Council – China’s cabinet – headed by the Premier, currently
Wen Jiabao. This eleven member body is the key national policy making group in China. Its laws
are passed by the National People’s Congress, commonly known as China’s parliament, a three
thousand member delegate body whose membership is drawn from across the PRC. It meets in
China and India 4
general session for two weeks every year.”(china-britain.org). While this quote is rather long it
shows how unique Chinas political structure is. It is very suggestive that Since Mao was leader
that whatever the current President’s body of thought are any policies or laws that are created are
to be guided by it. Looking at the quote above the state council may create policy but it won’t do
so without the president’s line of thought and approval. Below the president is the state council
as is seen in the above quote. Again whatever the president’s thoughts are the state council or
cabinet will again use the president’s thoughts as a foundation to make policy. The laws are
passed by the National People’s Congress. The unique thing about this part of China’s
government is that it meets only for two weeks each year. China’s day to day business is carried
out by ministries who answer to China’s State council. With China’s economy liberalizing is thee
has been downgrading and even dissolving of some ministries. The ministries usually and
directly administered the industrial sectors. They now have bodies that have a more general
administrative remit. There are also State level bureaus or agencies that also have a strong impact
and important role part in enforcing Chinas ever changing and growing industrial and
commercial laws. The also look over regulations in importing and exporting, finances, as well as
overseeing matters that are considered sensitive such as property and environmental protection.
In the past the state level trading companies held a monopoly on the import and export activities
in the various sectors. Not so now due the core or main functions being opened to competition,
they have actually gone to diversifying into holding companies, conglomerates, joint venturing
with partners, and investment groups. Now going below the state level the decision making is
done by many different groups and they are the Shi, who are actually unitary metropolitan
authorities in China’s four major and biggest cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing.
They enjoy a level on autonomy when it comes to economic decisions and this includes
China and India 5
exemptions from national level economic policies. The next level is the Provincial level or Sheng
and their responsibilities are the administration to Chinas Provinces and what is considered
Autonomous Regions. These autonomous regions include the large non-Chinese places Tibet and
Inner Mongolia. Now beneath this level are cities that like U.S. cities are run by mayors. As in
the U.S. they have a lot of power. This has caused a lot of rivalry between the Provincial and the
city levels of Chinas government “Pyramid”. The reason for this is because the city level wishes
to increase its autonomy at the provincial levels and Provinces are jealous when it comes to heir
prerogatives. This has actually decreased in the last few years because of granting more devolved
powers to each and easing the strict reporting structure when it comes to the decisions at the
lower levels when they were required to go above to get them approved. The lower tiers of
government after the city level is similar to the county levels in the U.S. and they are (Xian)
