Social structure of the Chinese political Elite in the context of modernization. Key trends in its development

Li Zhuoru, PhD student at the Sociology Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia); Editorial Director of the Association for World Political Economy (China) and Invited researcher at the Institute of State Security Studies, Nankai University (China), e-mail: liz@my.msu.ru

Igor N. Makarov, Senior researcher at the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Additional Professional Education “Russian Academy of Personnel Support for the Agro-industrial Complex” (RAKO APK), e-mail: makarov_i_n@mail.ru

This paper analyzes the characteristics and developmental structure of the Chinese political elite in contemporary conditions. Using the methodology of historical and dialectical materialism, the study emphasizes the significance of CPC leadership. Key trends in the development of China’s political elite include the promotion of political stability, increased institutionalization, and enhanced political participation. A crucial aspect is the integration of socialist consultative democracy into the evolution of the political elite. The paper also examines the differences between the evolution of the Chinese and Soviet political elites, highlighting the uniqueness of China’s path to modernization and governance. Socialist consultative democracy strengthens the interaction between the elite and society through institutionalized channels, contributing to political stability and governance modernization. The study concludes that the successful development of China’s political elite is the main condition for maintaining the leadership of the CPC. It underscores that the CPC’s guiding role is a guarantee of the successful development and modernization of Chinese society.

Keywords: social structure, political elite, consultative democracy, modernization
 

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