NEW CASTLE —
Officially, China’s Communist Party congress is about setting the stage for the country’s future.
The congress, held every five years, involves a gathering of 2,200 party delegates who select the next generation of leadership.
But realistically, much of the congress is little more than show, a rallying of loyal troops. The power brokers in China’s Communist Party make all the decisions behind the scenes.
Still, the issues discussed at the congress hint at things to come. And among the subjects raised at the congress were those that one might expect in a county undergoing rapid modernization and uneven growth.
Worries about the differences between rich and poor, environmental degradation and signs of an economic slowdown were mentioned. But perhaps the biggest public display in the realm of reform dealt with corruption.
This has been a growing concern in China, as the notion of becoming wealthy has gained a foothold in many parts of the country. Corruption — particularly that displayed by government and party officials — is distorting the economic process.
In his speech to the party congress this week, Chinese President Hu Jintao tackled the corruption problem head-on. “If we fail to handle this issue well, it could prove fatal to the party, and even cause the collapse of the party and the fall of the state,” Hu told delegates, who responded with applause.
That’s a remarkably candid assessment in a party that doesn’t like to admit its failings or shortcomings. Whether this will lead to renewed efforts to root out corruption is far less clear.
There have been some highly publicized anti-corruption campaigns in China in recent years, some of which have led to the executions of officials. But in China, it’s unclear if such moves are truly designed to restore confidence in the system or employ scapegoats to paper over problems.
At the root of China’s problem with corruption isn’t just greed amid newfound wealth. There is also the issue of rule of law — or lack thereof. Ultimately, the Communist Party in China is answerable only to itself. No matter how much the party seeks to modernize the country or advocate free-market practices, an unaccountable system that fails to appreciate the benefits of fair treatment across the board flirts with disaster.
China’s growth has been astonishing and admirable in many ways. Much of it represents a pragmatism practiced by its leaders that rejects much of what passes for communism.
But central planning and authoritarianism remain key components to decision making in China. The leadership selection process is a perfect example of that.
In China today, there is growing discomfort with this top-down system. The leadership is likely to find it difficult to pursue desired growth while maintaining central control.
That’s the challenge China faces in its future, a future that in many ways has already arrived.
Editorials
Our Opinion: Modernization goes on, but something key is missing
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Our Opinion: Lousy voter turnout is a missed opportunity
Tuesday’s primary in Lawrence County had its share of winners and losers. But — based on the numbers — the biggest winner has to be voter apathy. Countywide, voter turnout in the primary was a whopping 17.1 percent. In case you missed it, our use of the term “whopping” is sarcasm.
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Our Opinion: Pennsylvania’s primary system is controlled by parties
Should Pennsylvania’s primaries be open to independent voters? That’s an interesting question and one we have explored in the past on this page.
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Our Opinion: State audit says city school district failed to collect from non-residents
Audit information about non-resident students who didn’t pay tuition at New Castle raises more questions than it answers. At least so far. We expect more details when the Pennsylvania auditor general’s office completes its report and the New Castle school district provides its response.
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Our Opinion: Make the most of your power to vote by casting ballot tomorrow
So what kind of turnout will there be for tomorrow’s primary? Recent history suggests somewhere between low and lousy. This year’s elections are devoted to local races, and there are few major ones being contested in the primary.
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Our Opinion: Privatization of county jail is worthy of examination
Generally speaking, we support government efforts to seek more efficient ways to provide essential services. So we have no problem with the decision by the Lawrence County commissioners to solicit proposals for the private operation of the county jail.
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Our Opinion: We endorse candidates for New Castle board
The New Castle school district is often a study in contrasts. There are complaints about the district on everything from taxes to nepotism, from test scores to ethical slights. Yet at the same time, plenty of students within the district excel. It’s a tribute to the hard work of those students, their families and the educators who support them.
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Our Opinion: You should be frightened, outraged by IRS abuse of power
When people talk about government posing a threat to citizens, a common topic these days is unmanned drones. But a more credible threat may be the Internal Revenue Service. This agency, responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing related rules, has the ability to make life miserable for the average individual.
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Our Opinion: Our endorsements for City Council race
The city of New Castle needs help. Financially distressed and operating under Pennsylvania’s Act 47, New Castle must find ways to reverse its population loss and fiscal challenges.
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Our Opinion: Court frowns on gerrymandering, but only slightly
Pennsylvania legislators have received the green light to put their own political interests ahead of yours. That’s a key point in the latest Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on legislative apportionment in the commonwealth.
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Our Opinion: Study says distracted driving deaths are under reported
Suppose you operated a piece of heavy machinery at your job. And suppose it’s machinery that moves quickly with little effort. What would happen if you decided to take one hand off that equipment — while it was still in motion — and instead focused your attention on a telephone call?
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