Description
Book SynopsisThis book investigates the legal and political evolution of Chinese presidency from the period of its forerunner in the 1930s, its establishment in 1954 to its abolition in 1975, and its restoration in 1982, and discovers that the presidency has evolved from a traditional Chinese title into a political position and then a state institution that has the constitutional appearance of a Western style semi-presidency. However, politically it has functioned in a Stalinist party-state with Chinese characteristics, whose candidates have been produced according to the CCP's step-by-step succession rules designated by the party leaders. Real political decision-making power has not only been limited by these succession rules, but also by the president''s role and status within the CCP's collective supreme body. The author weaves the themes of Chinese politics and law together and explores not only the political implications of those constitutional provisions and amendments regarding this office,
Trade ReviewZhang traces the development of the presidency (chairmanship) of the People's Republic of China from the 1940s to the present. Zhang divides the examination into three periods: the years around the establishment of the 1949 Common Program, the years of the 1954 constitution, and the years since the enactment of the 1982 constitution. Zhang's analysis of each period focuses almost exclusively on the legal and constitutional parameters of the authority of the presidency. Zhang notes . . . the contextual relationship between the leadership of the CCP and top government officials . . . [and] the role of the president and that of the premier. * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction to Chinese Presidency Chapter 2: Chinese President and Chairman Before 1949 Chapter 3: “Chairman Mao” of the China Soviet Republic Chapter 4: Chairman Mao of the People’s Republic of China from 1949 to 1954 Chapter 5: Constitutional Making of the Chairmanship in 1954 Chapter 6: Chairman Mao Zedong from 1954 to 1958 Chapter 7: Chairman Liu Shaoqi in Office from 1959 to 1966 Chapter 8: Constitutional Making of the Presidency in 1982 Chapter 9: President Li Xiannian and Yang Shangkun from 1983 to 1993 Chapter 10: President Jiang Zemin from 1993 to 2003 Chapter 11: President Hu Jintao from 2003 to 2013 Chapter 12: Law and Politics Surrounding the Presidency
