Selection and election: How China chooses its leaders

China has developed a unique system of choosing its leaders, eschewing Western models for a process based on merit and broad support. Scholar Zhang Weiwei argues that while the system of "selection and election" is not perfect, it is a match for alternative models and has delivered for the Chinese people.

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[gustofzephyr]

selection plus election. As an Indian, I am so envious of this system. Here we have leaders who don't even have a basic understanding of science or economics. Meanwhile every Chinese President, for the last three decades, has had a background in science. No wonder China is so properly and efficiently run.

[mohmeegaik]

China system cannot be duplicated easily because China citizens raise up with long history of civilization. The past history of turbulence, violence of the common people made them strong resourceful and patrotic. Education made them aware to be grateful to the government efforts to improve their lives. Jia you China. Long live President Xi Jinping!!!

[CharlieTV]

Well he is right, USA is about showmanship. You are elected in the US by "if you can talk the talk about how much you will walk the walk".

[iwanputrakurniawan]

Really impressed. All top leaders start from grassroots and walk a long journey to the top. Only those really competent one get 'selected plus elected'. The result speak for itself..

[elohimtruth]

Zhang Weiwei's words of 'Leadership versus Showmanship' are so clear to the point. Only 'Style' is not enough; there must be   'Substance'. Just talking and making promises means little, unless it actually brings good results. Only the very best and competent people should hold the top leading positions of a country. Meritocracy? Why not. It works.

[TIENxSHINHAN]

The thing I like about China is how they're self critical and acknowledge that they ain't got it all figured out. Compare that with America, who constantly goes on about how we're the greatest country to ever grace the planet, while riots, mass shootings and racial hate crimes are being committed on a daily basis.

[breeze]

This is one of the best videos on chinese politics and it explains why they are so successful. In most western countries this "showmenship" literally decides wheter a person is elected or not which leads to tragedies like Donald Trump. Isn't it ridiculous that even a dentist needs to have a degree and years of experience before he can start operating on real people but the president of a country who decides the fate of ALL the people in that country (and in the case of America, the fate of the rest of the world as well)... Isn't it ridiculous that someone with literally no experience and merit can be just elected for this incredibly important role? This system is bound to fail.

Actually, it already failed... Many, many times... Just look at the video where Noam Chomsky lists the horrific crimes of literally ALL the American presidents starting from 1950's and you will understand it immediately.

[loneranger]

"The China model is more about leadership rather than the showmanship in the West"

That man just showed the biggest problem in democracy.

[Sonyhamster]

For those who think China doesn't have "democracy". Well, here is your answer. Just because it's not your style of democracy, doesn't mean people don't have a voice in China.

[toovexx]

As much as I agree with some of these statements, there must also be an understanding of the role of the government perceived in other countries. The US government was never designed to hold control over the economic well-being of the nation. The modern day result being a very inefficient government run by incompetent leaders.

[JenHope]

The Best of the best are chosen for every level of leaderships, meaning at village level, at city level and province level. From these levels, a National leader is borne like Xi JinPing.

[graceyoungbeck]

Dr. zhong's sharing really brings enlightenment to me n many. How I wish i could have been his student, but his sharing in English gives me the chance to share with my non Chinese speaking associates all over the world..

[saicheongko]

Selecting leadership as against showmanship.
Very succinctly said !

[tarzanzhao]

To my surprise, I ultimately find a video that could give objective and proper comments on the Chinese political system, 'our system could ensure people without capability never get to the top of the government' opposite to Trump's dramatical being president. We aim to choose the chairman by leadership rather than showmanship.
And western media shouldn't regard regimes without their own types of democracy as a dictatorship.

[MrJanes-clsj]

those digs at trump and bush were deep and hilarious!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[soul_]

The current president of China he was 15 years back a municipal leader of a town in Xi'an ..He was chosen by the local people from there first ..And for his works man he got promoted ..But remember every stage every office he took all progress will be examined .. Discussed and talked about by thousand of people that took part in the national Congress ..And at some place if anyone committed any kind of wrong doing he would be punished ..The same like here in EU someone with a criminal record you won't be allowed to run for presidency or any position .. Just like that ..Fact are being checked

[Lord_Pilaf]

We in the U.S. have a lot to learn from China

[Marxist-Leninist_BellaLabDog]

In the USA you can change political parties, but you can't change policies. In China you can't change political parties, but you can change policies.

[captainebolaman]

I feel like nobody is asking any questions. Who gets to decide the merit of politicians? Is it elections just within the politburo or do the other 2 billion Chinese people get a say? So rather than a national popularity contest, its a popularity contest between a few men?

[bobcrye]

As an American, I feel this selection plus election is a good way of vetting leaders, but are the people the ones selecting or is it other well connected people of the government? Also, I can’t feel safe about a system that would arrest anyone who speaks ill of it. That seems like too much power for a one party system