Month: December 2014

On China’s Anti-Corruption Drive

Posted on by fqzhang

In China, ever since president Xi Jinping launched his promise to crack down on corruption both high and low (or to use his phrase, “striking tigers and flies at the same time “), a dark cloud seemed to have engulfed Chinese politics. The corruption drives seemed to have consumed absolutely everyone, and has been the talk both within China and abroad. Hardly a day seemed to go by without some “high ranking official” getting sacked for alleged embezzlement, misconduct, or plain neglect of official duties. Yet, despite all the fanfare, how much of an impact is the crackdown really making?

First, it needed to be said, this official drive against corruption has been popular with the Chinese people. Official corruption has long been a source of anger among most Chinese and they resent the way that government officials are able to use their given authorities to further their own ends. To many Chinese, the direct actions from the Central Government in Beijing are the only ways for which corruptions can be combated, since the national government are the only ones able to protect the defenseless people from the greedy and vicious local officials.

President Xi’s role as a corruption buster would hardly be the first in the long history of China, although it is arguably the largest such drives since the Communist victory in 1949. Throughout China’s imperial history, corruption has always been present in China’s vast bureaucracy. Therefore, it is the duty of the imperial court and the emperor to periodically send out officials from the capital to the provinces to inspect local officials and to hand out punishment to those officials found to be corrupt. One of the key reasons for the Communist victory of 1949 is the ability of the Communist leadership to present an image of themselves as the “incorruptibles”, and portraying their opponents, the Nationalists, as a group of corrupt bandits.

Now fast-forward to 2014, and we see that if we substitute the imperial bureaucracy with the Party bureaucracy; the imperial court with the Central Government in Beijing; the traveling officials of the court with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (a branch of the Central Government); and the emperor, dare I suggest, with the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping himself; and we then see a parallel system of combating corruption. Namely, by arresting those responsible and seize their ill-gotten assets. However, if we look at this method of combating corruption, we see that it is neglecting the true causes that enabled these corruptions to happen in the first place. Arresting officials may be easy to do in the short run and may discourage corrupt practices briefly. Eventually, the energy of a government get tired out and it would declare the corruption drives a success and wrap it up. This sort of solution could not be sustainable in the long run and is merely a stop-gap measure. Or to use our historic analogy, one key reason why every dynasty falls in China is its inability to handle reforms and had to rely on temporary measures to stop these failures in governance; eventually, only a popular uprising and revolution is able to change the status quo.

I’m sure this point is not lost upon the officials who instigated this sort of investigations in the first place. The question we must ask ourselves then is why this corruption drive if everyone knows it is destined to fail? I can divide up the reasons as follows: first, the desire to appear responsible and to gain popularity among the people, and gain credibility and praise for its leaders, most important of which is Xi Jinping himself; second, more importantly, to use this opportunity to eliminate domestic rivals and challenges to the ruling group’s rule through the process of arrest and public humiliation via a media campaign; and thirdly, as an explanation to the method of anti-corruption drives, to preserve the legitimacy of the party and to root out some of its abuses without actually loosening the ruling party’s hold on power.

The Chinese public, like publics everywhere, are eager for sensational news (how much funds he embezzled, how many apartments has he gotten, how many mistresses are being supported by him), and is willing to let the sensational take over the need for true substance, which is the need for institutionalized reform. For those in the highest levels of government right now, this ability to satisfy a public that is eager to combat corruption and see the downfall of corrupt officials makes the corruption drives worth the effort. Boosting its image among the public and gaining their support, the government is able to have a freer hand in dealing with other domestic issues such as the problems relating to environmental degradation; or in the international arena, such as the island disputes in the East and South China Seas. President Xi himself, by seeming to remain aloof from charges of corruption (while in reality his family assets are no less questionable), can gain the credibility needed to implement his political agendas.

In the opaque environment of Chinese politics, power is never as secure as it looks to the outsiders. There exists numerous factions with the Party itself, jousting for influence with one another. President Xi had gained power over the years by outmaneuvering his political opponents, most important of whom is Bo Xilai, a disgraced former Party regional leader who had been a key contender for national leadership and who was now found guilty of murder and numerous corruption charges. Now, as a part of his official anti-corruption campaign, Xi is moving against some of his other opponents such as Zhou Yongkang, an ex-security chief arrested for corruption and leaking state secrets. Indeed, the corruption drive, despite its wide scope, has targeted very specific individuals and groups that have opposed Xi in the past and are threatening his own power base. Arguably, partly as a result of the anti-corruption campaign, which rendered his opponents either in a state of confinement or politically powerless, Xi is now arguably the most powerful Chinese leader since the death of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic.

Finally, the Chinese leadership, in spite of its political agendas, recognized the need to combat corruption on a serious level, as it presents a threat to its legitimacy in the eyes of the Chinese people. However, the most obvious solution, which is implementing reforms to the structure of governance, will invariably involve the loosening the Party’s grip on power. This is unacceptable to all party officials large and small, past and present. Moreover, the political institutions of China or the lack thereof presents serious challenges to be overcome: the lack of an independent judiciary not subject to political pressures, the intimate relationships between officials and heads of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the pervasive cronyism as a result of the system of political appointees that run from the top down, etc. All of these are serious problems that needs to be addressed. The problem is, the Party is unable and unwilling to address these problems without themselves becoming discredited and falling from its position as the ruling party of China. Therefore, it had to resort to the sort of temporary stop-gap measures that have been the hallmark of central governments since antiquity. (And, likewise, destined to fail with the passage of time)

I recall reading a book a while back about China, which compared China to the bus in the movie “Speed” (1994), which features Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock. In the movie the cops must prevent a bomb from exploding in the city bus, while keeping the bus hurtling through the streets above 50 miles an hour. Any speed below 50 miles an hour and the bus will explode. Needless to say, China is this bus. Now let’s imagine for ourselves that we are the national leaders of China, and we recognized that there is a ticking bomb on this China bus. However, to keep China going, we must keep the Chinese economy growing at over 7% per year, keep the machineries of government working, and to maintain order onboard. All of these while we are navigating through the streets of international relations, and make sure that no one else is affected by our problems. Corruption is that ticking bomb that will likely explode and will be a problem for the national government if left untreated. However, to tackle it, the national leaders must take into considerations the numerous other factors at play. For now at least, it is simply easier to keep China going forward by developing its economy and distracts the people from the problems the nation is facing, than to tackle issue of corruption through institutional reform.

For more on the Chinese housing market, click here. For more on corruption in the oil industry worldwide, click here.

Questions of Identity: What defines our nation?

Posted on by fqzhang

While having dinner at Berkeley’s dining commons, I was talking with an international student from South Korea. We were discussing our respective backgrounds. He was telling about how in South Korea, everyone identifies with one another, mostly in the form of culture and a similar language. He also mentioned an identifying factor that is hard to imagine in the US: race and ethnicity. In Korea, everyone belongs to the Korean “race” and this ethnic identifying factor is important in how Koreans see themselves as a nation. Then he asked me about something that he is confused about: What defines America? What is it that makes America stick together as a nation? Taken aback by this question, I couldn’t come up with a response. Then I stated that in the US, we do not value race, ethnicity, or even culture or language as much; rather, we as Americans share a certain set of values such individualism, respect for the law and democracy. However, as soon as I uttered those words, I realized how textbook like I sound, for these are the responses a course of American politics would probably gave. While he nodded in assent, I myself wasn’t entirely satisfied my response.

I have always enjoyed talking with international students, they often offers a fresh perspective on things that some of us born in the US or living in the US have taken for granted. Take the question of what defines the US for example, I have never thought about how bewildering the American Identity must have seemed to others. We are a nation that is multi-race, multi-religion, multi-cultural, and even multi-lingual (even though English is the de facto language of communication); indeed how is it that the American nation can stay together for so long?

After careful thought, I came to the conclusion our national identity is defined by several values. Most importantly, I believe that the US is defined by our inclusiveness to people of all different background, at the same time, we helped to foster immigrants and native-born citizens with a certain set of values that define America. And I believe the acquisition of an American identity happened in several stages. Firstly, those who immigrated to the United States are already breaking the bound with their old home country for political, religious, economic, and a variety of other regions that causes them to be no longer attached to their old identity. This is important because by forming a new blank slate (a table rasa if you will), a new identity can be imprinted upon them. Secondly, the gradually process of assimilation, or at least acceptance of American culture and the American way of life happens gradually. Through working, interacting with others, watching TV and accessing the internet, individuals can acquire a new perspective on things, a perspective that respects the diversity of American society. One key aspect of this acculturation to the US lies in the learning of the English language. This is not necessary merely for the cultural sense, but also to facilitate the understanding of what the larger society is about. Finally, the acquisition of an American identities is completed when citizens began to appreciate the political institutions of the United States, possess an understanding of the American political culture, and appreciate the nation for what it is. The acquisition of citizenship status is merely a formalization of the process of becoming an American. Throughout this process, a person began to identify more and more closely with the identity of an American.

However, this process of becoming an American is not without its challenges. At each stage of the process, a person may fail to progress to the next stage. For example, a person may remain so attached to their home country that they refuses to accept anything else even though they physically had come to America. Moreover, a person may refuse to learn the English language, or work, or interact with anyone else in the US. Or they may choose to fill their living rooms with foreign media and essentially recreating their home country in America, and isolate themselves from their surroundings. Under these circumstances, a person cannot become an “American” in the cultural sense of the word. And even when they chose to became a citizen, they did not truly complete the process of becoming an American in their heart and mind.

But what about remaining American after we began to identify with each other in a community? I believe that the decision of remaining American is an expression of our personal choice. We take pride in the community in which we belong in. Here, I draw upon the ideas of the famous French theorist, Ernest Renan, who argued that choosing to belong to a nation is a daily process of affirmation in a community. A nation is not a concrete concept that is defined by its borders, institutions, or other perceived similarities. Here in the United States, we are not defined by the 49th parallel North or the Rio Grande, but rather by a set of values and shared experiences that all of us treasure. The fact that we are living together and form a community is a testament to our continual will to be American; for if not, we can easily move away from this country, or “vote with our feet”. Each day, while we might not think of it as such, we are constantly reaffirming our desire to remain American by exercising our right to work, to express our opinions, and paying attention to the things going on around us.

However, this is not without its challenges as well. For the values that define us need to be constantly reinforced through more direct actions such as engagement with the political process by the simple act of voting. As Americans, we not only have rights but also responsibilities and if we neglected some of these simple acts, in a way, we forfeit our right to remain in the American community. If a nation is indeed a larger community of people that chose to remain together, then it is the duty for every member of that nation to constantly reaffirm their commitment to that community through their engagement with the nation and other members of the community. If the members of a nation cease to become engaged with one another, then the nation and the force that is binding it together will cease to function as a cohesive force.

This issue of what defines America affects me personally, for not too long ago, I became a citizen of the United States. As I was sworn in to become an American, I was overcame by a sense of apprehension. For what it is that I need to do, now that I am a member of the American “nation”. Should I behave in a different manner? Are my loyalties completely transferred over to this new nation? After the sworn-in ceremony, I did not feel any different than before, does this mean that I have failed in this transformative process?

Later, I recognized that the best way to feel at ease in this nation is to engage with its nation- and community-building process. By that I am suggesting that I will go out and vote and encourage others to engage in the political process as well, and volunteer my time and efforts and engage with the community around me. To appreciate on a daily basis what we do in this nation and to cherish the social, political, and cultural institutions that define the United States. But I above, I will continue to value and uphold the bonds that unites Americans together and to encourage others to do the same, making us stronger than ever before. A nation at its core is a community and it is the duty of each member of this community to develop a strong bond with one another, so that together we may progress into the future.

Labor market in Japan: Is female participation the key to economic recovery?

Posted on by fqzhang

I came across this article quite recently on NPR news, “Is ‘Womenomics’ The Answer To Japan’s Economic Woes?” http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/12/03/368143686/is-womenomics-the-answer-to-japans-economic-woes . The author posed the question of whether or not Japan’s recent policy, dubbed “Abenomics”, is going to pull the nation out of economic stagnation. One key component of this economic revitalization is to introduce women into the workplace and to provide a more talented pool of workers for the economy to draw upon. However, his policies have been controversial as well, since he is accused of helping only a small group of women, and not doing enough to help advance the careers of others. The debate, therefore, revolves around what is the economic role for women in a society such as that of Japan’s?

It is no secret that the Japanese economy is in a sluggish condition, with many structural problems present. Personally, I believe in the importance of sustained economic growth to bring benefits to society, and if having greater participation can contribute to the economic development, then I believe it is the duty of a government to help women assimilate into the workforce. This will no doubt face considerable resistance from many in a traditional society such as that of Japan, where women in the workplace, especially in jobs like manufacturing, is still something rarity, and women are expected to become the child-bearers and homemakers in society. But we must not forget the fact that the Japanese workforce is shrinking due to population decline, and immigrations are still being severely restricted in the nation. Therefore, it is imperative for Japan to increase the size of its labor force by including more women than before in order to save many of the industries in the country from being relocated elsewhere.

This sort of change requires a fundamental shift in the way a society views how their economy should be organized. If we look back at the history of Japan, we see that Japanese society reorganized itself from a feudal agricultural nation into an industrial one in the late 19th century; and post-World War Two, when Japan orientated itself to become an exporting nation, with an emphasis on electronics. These sort of changes did not happen overnight and had to overcome challenges within society, the landowners and domestic industrialists respectively. Also in each case, the government, in the form of a centralized bureaucracy and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), helped to propel the nation into greater economic advancements.

In today’s Japan, societal views of women have not changed in decades, even though the economic fortune of Japan have shifted considerably. In response to this new crisis in the labor market, I believe that the government has the opportunity to once again take a proactive role in society, and to encourage economic development by making drastic changes in the social framework. By providing subsidies to industries that hire women, by giving better childcare and social benefits, by opening technical training programs for women, the Japanese government can introduce more women into the workforce. Japan has done it before, spear-heading changes in its economy and transformed itself into the 3rd largest economy in the world today. I believe that with the right amount of political will to foster these social changes, Japan can once again become an engine of global economic growth.