Abstract
Collective learning refers to the working procedure whereby the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau regularly invites members of national think tanks to deliver lectures on important issues and major problems relating to the national economy and social development. The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Standing Committees conducted collective learning sessions every month, whereby the lecturers were mainly from research institutes, universities, and special committees under the auspices of state departments. By means of this collective learning, the Standing Committee is able to engage in positive interaction with decision-making consultants and policy-evaluation departments. The Standing Committee can thus acquire diverse background information, achieve information sharing, and make comprehensive judgments as part of the process of political consensus and innovative decision making that characterizes the central leadership.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
In November 1985, the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the State Council issued the Five-Year Plan on Spreading Legal Knowledge among All Citizens by the Publicity Department and the Ministry of Justice. This was the first five-year plan in spreading the law, and thus the years between 1986 and 1990 are also known as the “first five-year law-spreading” period. In December of the same year, the NPC Standing Committee established “Decisions about Basically Spreading Legal Knowledge among the Citizens.” Thus was launched a campaign of civil law popularization.
- 2.
“18 years of Collective Learning of the Law by the Political Bureau,” “Democracy and the Legal System Times,” April 11, 2011, No. A01.
- 3.
“30th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-up Drive: the Institutionalization of Collective Learning of Law by the Central Leadership”. People.com.cn:http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/8198/8487144.html
- 4.
Hu Jintao pointed out to the Political Bureau, “In order to adapt to the development of the party and the state and to better carry out the important tasks entrusted by the party and the people, we must further strengthen our learning. In addition to self-education, the Political Bureau should carry out collective learning. This should be a system to which we can adhere over the long term. See “At a CPC Central Committee Collective Study Session Hu Jintao Emphasized the Strengthening of Study by Leading Cadres so as to Improve the Ability of Governing and Rejuvenating the Country,” excerpted from People’s Daily, December 27, 2002, first edition. The Communist Party of China News network: http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/64162/66214/4527648.html
- 5.
“The CPC Central Committee’s Decision on Strengthening the Party’s Governing Ability,” xinhuanet.com authorized to issue: http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2004-09/26/content_2024232.htm
- 6.
Hu Jintao stressed that eight good habits should be promoted among the leading cadres at all levels, including hard work, learning in order to practice, recognising the need for lifelong learning, combining theory with practice in accordance with a Marxist style of learning, and constructing a learning party and a learning society. See “Hu Jintao Delivered an Important Speech at the Seventh Plenary Session of the Central Disciplinary Commission,” January 9, 2007, xinhuanet.com: http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2007-01/09/content_5585119.htm
- 7.
The Communist Party of China News Network: Collective Learning of the Political Bureau. http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/64162/66214/index.html
- 8.
For example, in December 1974, Mao Zedong’s conversation on the theory of proletarian dictatorship. On January 8, 1975 Zhou Enlai formally issued a circular to members and alternate members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau. On February 18th, the Central Committee announced the instructions of Mao Zedong to the entire party. As instructed by Mao Zedong, Chang Chunqiao and Yao Wenyuan edited “On the Dictatorship of the Proletariat by Marx, Engels and Lenin”—Item 33, in the People’s Daily published on February 22, which officially began the learning of the theory of proletarian dictatorship across the country (Mao Zedong 1998).
- 9.
Xi Jinping pointed out, “Attaching great importance to learning, being good at learning, is our party’s fine tradition and political advantage. It is a guarantee for our party to maintain and develop its advanced character and to always be at the forefront of the times. It is also an important way for the leading cadres to grow, improve their quality and abilities, and make progress.” (Xi Jinping 2008).
- 10.
“The CPC Central Committee’s Decisions on Major Problems Related to Strengthening and Improving Party Building in New Situations” was passed at the Fourth Plenary Session of the Seventeenth Central Committee of the CPC.
- 11.
Hu Sheng praised Hu Qiaomu for his knowledge of Marxism and profound understanding of Mao Zedong’s thought. Hu was knowledgeable in a variety of disciplines, diligent and independent in thinking, and able to present new insights. See Hu Sheng (1994).
References
Deng Xiaoping (1978) Emancipate the mind, seek truth from facts, be united and work for the future (December 13, 1978). Excerpted from Analects of Deng Xiaoping, vol II, People’s Publishing House, Beijing, pp 152–153
Deng Xiaoping (1987) Work report by the Central Advisory Committee to the thirteenth national congress of CPC (October 30, 1987). The Communist Party of China News Net. http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shizheng/252/5089/5105/5277/20010430/456309.html
Hu Jintao (2005) On the work of the Central Government (February 26, 2003). In: The Central Party Literature Research Centre (ed) Selection of important literature since the 16th National Congress, vol I. The Central Party Literature Press, Beijing, p 152
Hu Sheng (1994) In memory of Comrade Hu Qiaomu. In: Liu Zhonghai, Zheng Hui, Cheng Zhongyuan (eds) Excerpts from Remember Hu Qiaomu Contemporary China Publishing House, Beijing, p 5
Jiang Zemin (2006) On strengthening and improving learning (January 11, 1999). In: Analects of Jiang Zemin, vol II. People’s Publishing House, Beijing, pp 284–301
Mao Zedong (1991a) Position of the Communist Party of China in the National War (October 14, 1938). In: Analects of Mao Zedong, vol II. People’s Publishing House, Beijing, p 533
Mao Zedong (1991b) Reform our study (May 1941). In: Analects of Mao Zedong, vol III. People’s Publishing House, Beijing, pp 796–797
Mao Zedong (1998) Mao Zedong’s works since the founding of People’s Republic of China, vol 13. Central Party Literature Press, Beijing, p 414
Mao Zedong (1999) Sixty work methods (January 1958). In: Analects of Mao Zedong, vol VII. People’s Publishing House, Beijing, p 339
Xi Jinping (2008) Leading cadres should study conscientiously, live and work honestly: speech at the opening ceremony of the second class for further studies and teachers training class in the Spring Semester of 2008, Central Party School (May 13, 2008). Excerpts from Study Times, 26 May 2008, No. 001 edition
Zhou Enlai (1984) No man is ever too old to live and learn (May 26, 1957). In: United Front Department of CPC Central Committee, Central Party Literature Research Room (ed) Zhou Enlai’s works on the united front. People’s Publishing House, Beijing, p 360
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hu, A. (2014). Collective Learning. In: China’s Collective Presidency. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-55279-3_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-55279-3_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-55278-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-55279-3
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)